By Matt Underwood 
It seems a significant shift is underway regarding study permits for Indian students in Canada, with projections suggesting a 50% drop by 2025. This comes as a surprise to many, considering the substantial presence of Indian students in Canada, who currently make up a large portion of the international student population, particularly in provinces like Ontario where they account for over 60% of enrolments. This high representation has, for some, raised questions about the balance and sustainability of current immigration policies.
The rising costs associated with education and the perceived lack of job opportunities for Canadian graduates have fueled discussions about limiting international permits. The idea is that prioritizing Canadian citizens for educational opportunities, potentially making them free, is a more sensible approach given domestic challenges. There’s a sentiment that Canada has been pushing its own citizens towards trade schools due to a perceived scarcity of university spots and jobs post-graduation.
Historically, some international students have come to Canada because their home countries lacked comparable educational institutions. India, along with other nations, possesses its own extensive educational systems, leading to questions about the precise number of international student permits that should be issued. The significant number of international students has, it’s noted, contributed to the future Canadian citizenry, a point that is acknowledged with gratitude by some.
However, there are concerns about the potential for exploitation within the current system. It’s suggested that some international students are willing to work in less-than-ideal conditions and live in substandard housing, with examples of extremely crowded rental situations and makeshift living spaces that may not meet safety codes being cited. These arrangements are not typically chosen by Canadians, adding to the perception of a system being leveraged for cheap labor.
The demographics of essential service work are also highlighted, with a particular country’s nationals reportedly forming the majority of service workers. While the intention is not to oppose immigration outright, there’s a desire to avoid individuals who might inadvertently suppress the quality of life for Canadians. The reduction in study permits isn’t seen by some as targeting India specifically, but rather as part of a broader trend of tightening immigration controls.
A common narrative emerging is that of students coming to Canada, obtaining jobs, and then sponsoring other individuals from their home country, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle. The projection of a further 50% drop in 2026 suggests a sustained effort to recalibrate these pathways. The question of what happens to those whose visas are expiring and what plans are in place for their departure is also a point of consideration.
The exceptionally high rate of student permit issuance in the past few years is often cited as the context for the current adjustments. Some believe that the influx of “unskilled, poorly educated students” was excessive and that Canada should prioritize individuals with graduate or postgraduate training, as was reportedly the case in earlier years. This perspective aligns with a broader concern that many prosperous nations are grappling with the repercussions of open-border policies.
Essentially, Canada’s approach to immigration, particularly post-2021, is seen as having swung from a period of relatively loose controls and accessible opportunities to a much tighter regime. This shift is not just about policy changes but also reflects a noticeable change in public sentiment, with a decidedly hostile attitude towards immigration in some quarters, and India being viewed by some Canadians as a primary contributor to this perceived issue.
Evidence suggests that with new regulations and increased scrutiny, fewer individuals are applying for study permits, and only a fraction of those who do are being approved. This trend is leading to a decline in applications from India, as the pathways for education, temporary work, and permanent residency have become substantially more restrictive, and prospective Indian applicants are increasingly aware of this.
Looking ahead, there are predictions of a net population decline in Canada for 2026, potentially in the high six or even low seven figures, as individuals on various temporary statuses reach their expiry dates and are required to leave. The idea of a “shift north” from the US is met with some skepticism, with a plea for no more Indian teenagers entering the country.
While the principle of legal immigration is supported, there’s a strong emphasis on the need for immigrants to assimilate and adapt to their new country, leaving behind the issues of their home nations. The positive contributions of immigrants who have successfully integrated are acknowledged, but the display of hostility towards one’s country of origin is viewed as unacceptable.
The system of international students paying full tuition fees, which historically helped mitigate underfunding in Canadian post-secondary institutions, is also under scrutiny. With provinces not adequately funding universities and colleges, many institutions relied heavily on foreign student revenue. The concern is that this reliance has created a precarious situation, with institutions now facing program cuts as this revenue stream diminishes. The responsibility for funding public institutions, it’s argued, should not fall on exploiting foreign students.
The idea that a 50% reduction might mean that only genuine students remain is a perspective shared by some. The current situation is being compared by some to a societal malady, especially in the post-COVID-19 era when the numbers of international students and temporary foreign workers surged dramatically. Universities and colleges, facing revenue losses during lockdowns, responded by admitting record numbers of international students, with some institutions lowering admission standards and functioning more like “diploma mills.”
The Canadian points-based immigration system, which awards extra points for prior Canadian education and work experience, has made studying in Canada a perceived pathway to permanent residency. International students have been charged significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students, leading to increased intake by institutions to boost revenue. Some colleges have seen substantial financial turnarounds due to this influx. A similar trend has been observed with temporary foreign workers being brought in by businesses.
Canada is also a notable destination for Punjabi-speaking Sikhs from India, boasting one of the largest Sikh populations outside of Punjab. Many Sikh immigrants originally arrived as refugees, and with the immigration system rewarding Canadian education and work experience, the aim is often to transition to permanent residency. When this isn’t achievable, some may seek refugee or asylum status, sometimes citing issues like the Khalistan movement.
The system is seen by some as having been easily exploitable, leading to situations where individuals are willing to work in poor conditions and live in substandard housing. The high cost of Canadian room rentals is often cited as a factor contributing to these living arrangements, with makeshift rooms not meeting safety standards. The significant presence of workers from a particular country in the service sector is also noted.
The existence of established Indian communities within Canada, often through family sponsorship, is another factor contributing to the influx. Many Indo-Canadians are now third or fourth-generation citizens. The presence of institutions like Sikh temples and Punjabi language programs in high schools further solidifies these communities.
The criteria for wanting to immigrate to Canada are often seen as a desire for a better standard of living from countries that are not fully developed but also not entirely impoverished. India and China, with their large populations fitting this profile, have historically been major sources of immigration. However, deteriorating Canada-China relations have led to a decline in Chinese immigration, with India becoming the dominant source.
The approach taken by the government is perceived by some as taking advantage of vulnerable people through lenient visa policies, which are then exploited. The system, it’s argued, hasn’t adequately accounted for large influxes, and politicians have been complicit, with word of mouth within the Indian community further driving applications.
The observation that many Western countries, including the US, experience a significant number of international students from a few key nations is made. The US, it’s suggested, has more robust filtering systems, including federal control over institutions, interviews, background checks, and limitations on visa conversions, which mitigate system gaming. Canada’s background checks have reportedly diminished since 2019. Provincial control over public institutions and the rise of private institutions, often seeking to boost GDP and address labor shortages, are seen as contributing factors.
The system’s inefficiency in equipping individuals with essential skills for sectors like trades, industry, and manufacturing is also a point of concern. The question of whether children from upper-middle-class families in developing countries would genuinely be interested in trades or would instead abuse the pathway to acquire another passport is raised.
The comparison to corporations seeking cheap labor in other Western countries is drawn, as is the EU’s recruitment pipelines from certain countries due to shrinking tax bases supporting social welfare programs. The presence of a large English-speaking population in India, combined with a less established domestic university system and strong international social networks, is seen as a logical reason for a plurality of international students being Indian.
The role of the Punjabi community in Canada in assisting relatives and acquaintances from Punjab to come to Canada, often through student or temporary foreign worker visas, is highlighted. This has sometimes involved exploiting loopholes, such as purchasing fast-food franchises to sponsor workers or establishing private colleges that operate as “diploma mills.” The incentive of gaining points for permanent residency through Canadian education and work experience is a significant draw.
The establishment of an immigration partnership during the Trudeau administration, where Canada sought individuals to fill its needs and India had a surplus of people, is seen as a contributing factor. The current situation is also viewed by some as a consequence of a system that facilitates easy exploitation, with individuals willing to pay exorbitant fees for a chance at a better life, while simultaneously suppressing local labor and worsening wealth inequality.
The notion that reducing international student numbers will make universities free for Canadian citizens is disputed, with the argument that the majority of profits and programs are funded by the high fees paid by international students. Examples of significant tuition fee disparities between international and domestic students are provided, and the potential for program cuts due to decreased international student enrollment is a stated concern for many institutions.
The situation in Canada is seen as mirroring issues in Ireland, where student visa numbers have also skyrocketed, contributing to “degree mills,” suppressed local wages, and a severe housing crisis. While high-skilled immigration is considered beneficial, the current numbers are deemed unsustainable.
The concept of “unfettered neoliberalism and capitalism” is invoked to describe how a new servant caste has allegedly been created in Canada, built on false promises of permanent residency. This system, it’s argued, exploits vulnerable people willing to work for extremely low wages or pay substantial sums for a chance to escape worse circumstances, all while suppressing local labor and exacerbating wealth inequality. The suggestion is made that a population cap by country could lead to greater diversity in immigration.
Finally, the lack of a clear plan for managing the outcomes of these changes is noted, with speculation about potential future measures like granting citizenship after asylum claims expire. The economic implications and the overall cost to taxpayers are presented as ongoing concerns.