Canada cuts student visas by 35%. Do you know what impact this will have on India?

Canada has slashed the number of visas it can issue to international students by 35 per cent this year. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said Canada would take tough action against “bad actors” if they abuse immigration policies and take advantage of students.

Trudeau said he would tighten rules for foreign workers in an effort to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. “Our government will reduce the number of permits issued to international students by 35 per cent this year,” Trudeau said in a post on the social media platform X. “This number will be reduced further by 10 per cent by 2025.”

It will be reduced by 10% next year

The Canadian Prime Minister further stated that “immigration is good for our economy, but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, action is taken against them.” According to the Trudeau government, Canada plans to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease from the 485,000 issued in 2024.

Fewer visas than in 2023

Let us tell you that Canada issued study visas to 5,09,390 foreign students in 2023. 1,75,920 student visas have been approved in the first seven months of this year (2024).

Not everyone can live in Canada

Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Miller said coming to Canada is a privilege, not a right. He said the fact is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada can come to Canada. Similarly, not everyone who wants to live in Canada can live in Canada.

Tourist visas will also be more stringent

The Canadian government is reportedly planning to impose additional restrictions on work permits for international students and spouses of foreign workers, and will conduct stricter scrutiny before issuing tourist visas in an effort to stem a growing number of asylum applications.

This will affect Indian students

Let us tell you that Canada issued study visas to 226,000 Indian students last year (2023). At that time, 320,000 Indians were living in Canada on student visas and contributing to the economy as gig workers.