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Canada’s decision to limit the number of international students this year and impose strict work visa rules will force students from India to choose other countries. Counseling centers said that even a year ago, half of their clients wanted entry and immigration to Canada, but are now asking for other countries.
“The latest announcement is definitely going to make an impact,” said Ajay Sharma, founder and chairman of Abhinav Immigration Services Pvt Ltd. “There will be less demand for graduate students, except for those willing to pursue courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), health care and business.”
His comments come after Canada announced the introduction of a two-year limit on new international student permits to ease the housing crisis and check the quality of institutions offering these courses.
Persistent diplomatic spats between Canada and India over the past year, as well as tougher rules from the UK and Australia, have put the focus on countries like Ireland, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
“To maintain a sustainable level of temporary residence in Canada as well as ensure that the number of international students in Canada does not increase further until 2024, we are introducing a national application entry for a two-year period through 2024 “Setting limits.” Immigration Minister Mark Miller said last Monday. “This cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, a 35% decrease from 2023.”
This limit will not apply to students pursuing postgraduate or doctoral courses.
Canada’s stance comes after two other popular destinations, Australia and the UK, restricted the movement of students visiting their shores, citing the housing crisis and the rise of questionable colleges.
Since last May, Australian universities began to closely monitor the quality of students accepted for courses. In January, the UK also introduced visa rules with stricter criteria on bringing dependents. According to reports, the UK will limit the possibilities for international students to bring their dependent family members. Its aim was to prevent backdoor entry to work in the UK.
“Most students want a diploma program because it costs around 8-11 lakhs, while a master’s program costs 15 lakh,” said Ankur Dhawan, president of Upgrade Abroad, the international arm of Upgrade. Canada has also increased the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from CAD to $10,000. 6 Lakh) to CAD $20,635 ( 1.2 million). Students now have to look for more options in Europe.” The GIC serves as a proof that the student has the means to live and pay expenses in Canada. One can obtain a GIC from any Canadian financial institutions.
People in the business of sending students abroad are skeptical about the latest changes in visa rules. “The suggested limits are misguided and do not solve the housing crisis or address the employment-matching problem,” said Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and chief executive of Leverage Edu. The company ties up with banks and NBFCs to help students going abroad. Financing. “You still need immigrants, you still have open jobs, and no one is putting the whole thing together, which is a little off. I see it [more] More of a political decision than a structured decision for the economy.”
Chaturvedi said that post-study work visa is a big factor for Indian students in choosing a country or college or program, and if it is removed from the equation, the drop-off will increase, and the number of people going to these countries will increase. The number of students will rise and fall.
The stricter norms will affect students from states like Punjab and Haryana who go to Australia, Europe and Canada in larger numbers compared to states like Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, many of whom choose to study in the US.
In fact, non-bank lenders, recruiters and consultants told Mint last year that there was a five-fold increase in applications from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Mohali as well as smaller towns like Barnala, Khanna, Muktsar, Firozpur and Faridkot. . , for study in Canada, Australia and European countries.
The number of Indian students going abroad for higher education in 2022 was at a six-year high of 750,365, according to education ministry data.
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