Indian stakeholders respond to news from Canada

Indian international education players are concerned by Canada’s move to limit study permits for foreign students to two years, although some welcome the end of “shoddy practices.” Everyone is charting how students respond to the news and observing the real effects of the news on students’ opinions and application habits.

A cap, according to some stakeholders, will deter students from selecting Canada as their study location and won’t solve “real issues” with the country’s housing or immigration markets. Worst of all, others say there will still be room for abuse in the system.

Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director of Career Mosaic, said, “While we acknowledge the government’s intention to uphold educational quality and integrity, the drastic reduction in study permits, especially with a significant 35% overall cut, raises alarm.” 

“We hope that this policy will be reevaluated, with a focus on stakeholder collaboration to address concerns and maintain Canada’s standing as a top study destination.”

Although Saurabh Arora, CEO of the international student housing platform University Living, urged “a more organised approach,” he also mentioned some possible long-term advantages of the new restrictions.

“Known for its prestigious universities, Canada’s calculated decision to impose the cap may have short- to medium-term effects on outbound Indian students, but over time, it will provide equitable opportunities for those who sincerely want high-quality education.”

“This change is expected to stimulate expansion in the student housing sector, offering high-quality residences, reducing the impact of rising living expenses, and assisting in the stabilization of the economy. Positive outcomes from this revolutionary change include graduates being eligible for a three-year work permit and anticipated employment chances.

An organization that wished to remain anonymous issued a warning, stating that people in the nation may still be able to obtain “fake” LMIA-approved jobs through the labor market shortage skills list. Many concurred that in the near future, Indian students are probably going to choose for different academic options.

The CEO of IELTSMaterial, a division of edtech firm CollegeDekho, Divyansh Chaudhari, cited media estimates indicating that nearly 40% of Indian student visa applications were denied in the second half of 2023.

According to Karan Gupta, the founder of the Karan Gupta Education Foundation, Canada’s decision to cap study visas will “create challenges for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada and will limit their opportunities.”

Canada’s reputation as a friendly study abroad country will continue to erode.

Students will think twice about applying to Canadian universities due to the reduction in study permits and the current political climate that makes them skeptical of studying in Canada. Students who are currently in Canada are nonetheless concerned about their futures there, even if it is doubtful that the new regulations will affect them.