Study permit applications from Indian students seeking to join Canadian higher education institutions experienced a decline in 2023, dropping by over 15 percent compared to the previous year.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed a decrease from 363,484 applications in 2022 to 307,603 in 2023. A notable reduction was there in the last quarter of 2023, plummeting by 42% from the previous year.
Despite the decline in applications, the number of study permits issued to Indian students increased, reaching a record high of 278,860 in 2023 compared to 225,820 in 2022. Indian students constituted over 41% of all study permit holders, reflecting their significant presence in Canadian higher education. The drop in applications was attributed to various factors, including concerns over housing affordability and strained bilateral relations.
In September of last year, tension flared between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about potential links between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On September 20, an advisory for Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada was issued, cautioning them about their travel.
Earlier this year, the Canadian government announced measures to regulate the influx of international students. Ottawa unveiled an intake cap expected to result in a 35% reduction compared to 2023, with around 360,000 approved study permits anticipated for the year. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller described the cap as “temporary,” set for two years pending reassessment in 2025
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