The number of Indian students applying for study permits has dropped sharply in March 2024.
According to data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), only 4,210 study permit applications from Indian students were processed in March, a stark contrast to the nearly 45,000 applications processed in January and February combined.
This decline in Indian student applications can be attributed to various factors, including the temporary study permit cap implemented by the Canadian government, which has affected popular programs such as college diplomas and university undergraduate degrees.
Over 90% of study permits processed for Indian applicants in 2023 were for programs now subject to the cap, making Indian students one of the most affected groups. Securing student loans in India has also become increasingly difficult, and relations between India and Canada have grown increasingly strained since the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year.
Despite the drop in applications, the approval rate for Indian students has reached an all-time high of 85% in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 73% set in 2023. This is considering that the overall study permit approval rate has dipped to 50%, lower than the averages of the past two years.
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