Canada has introduced stricter immigration and visa policies, significantly impacting Indian students and workers.
These new rules, effective from February 2024, give border officials more authority over immigration decisions.
Since the implementation of Canada’s updated immigration and refugee protection rules on January 31, 2025, many students have faced visa permit cancellations.
These changes may affect approximately 4.27 lakh Indian students currently studying in Canada.
Thousands of Student Visas May Be Revoked
According to an Economic Times report, Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, mentioned that even students with excellent academic records have had their permits canceled.
It is estimated that around 7,000 student visas may be revoked in 2025.
If a student’s visa is canceled, they must either leave Canada immediately or file a legal appeal. However, the appeal process costs around C$1,500, with no guarantee of success.
Decline in Study Permits and Financial Challenges
Siddharth Iyer, Chief Operating Officer of OneStep Global, stated that study permits issued to Indian students dropped by 40% in the last quarter of 2023.
Additionally, from 2025, students will need a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of C$20,635, making it financially challenging for middle-class Indian families.
Since Indian students make up 35-40% of Canada’s international student population, this rule will have a significant impact.
Challenges for Students and Workers
The cancellation of study permits will create difficulties for students trying to graduate or obtain work permits. Workers and legal immigrants will also face more challenges.
The Study Direct Stream (SDS) visa program is expected to be discontinued by the end of 2025, making the visa application process even more difficult.
Canada has been a popular destination for Indian students and workers, but these new visa regulations have increased concerns for those planning to move there.
Under the new rules, students and workers will face additional documentation requirements and stricter monitoring.
