Why Canada is top preference for Indians wishing to study abroad, despite obstacles

Earlier this year, Canada capped the number of international students it will admit, made attestation letters compulsory to obtain study permits, and closed the spousal Open Work Permit, meaning that students cannot be accompanied by their spouses for a majority of undergraduate courses.

Yet, the country remains the preferred destination for Indians — particularly those in Punjab — wishing to study abroad, despite alternatives like the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand offering quality education. Here is why.

Opportunity to settle down post-studies

Despite Canada’s policy changes, the fundamental qualities which made the country attractive for international students remain the same. Canada’s welcoming atmosphere and top-notch public universities remain attractive.

Most importantly, Canada continues to offer better chances of settling down post-studies, compared to other countries. Students are eligible to obtain a work permit after completing their education, and can subsequently also apply for a Permanent Residency (PR).

Sumit Jain, a Jalandhar-based consultant, told The Indian Express that Canada’s PR offers far better chances to Indians wishing to settle down abroad, compared to other countries.

Gurpreet Singh, an expert in the field, said that in the US it is mandatory to complete four years of study, after which one can get a one year work permit. In Canada, however, students are eligible to get a three-year long work permit after two years of study — providing a much clearer pathway for settling down.

High visa success rate, transparent process

If students meet all requirements, Canada’s visa success rate remains very high. “We are achieving very high visa rates — sometimes even 100% — despite the many policy changes,” Jain said. “In comparison, Australia’s visa refusal rate is quite high, up to 70%,” he said, adding that Australian colleges are especially reluctant to accept students from state boards, especially in North Indian states such as Punjab and Haryana.

Also Read | Why some student visa hopefuls are attempting to go to Canada on visitor visas

Chitresh Dhawan, an Amritsar-based veteran in the industry, noted that Australia’s visa process lacks transparency — even students with high English proficiency, and good academic records have been inexplicably denied visas.

With regards to the UK, Dhawan pointed to the significantly stricter rules for students. For instance, students are not allowed to bring dependents (like parents, partners, or children). They can also not switch their student visa to a work visa without completing their studies, something that was previously possible.

And despite courses available for international students in European countries such as Germany and France, many students are simply not familiar with these options.

With regards to the US, while there is a misconception — especially in Punjab — that visas are easy to get, experts note that the process is not nearly as transparent as in Canada. Currently, there are 2.68 lakh Indian students in the US, but most are from the Southern states.

An existing Indian presence

Despite the newly introduced caps, 3.6 lakh international students can still avail study permits in Canada. According to official figures from Canada, as of 2023, over 3.8 lakh Indians (37% of all international students) are already in Canada. If this percentage holds, regardless of the cap, there are still plenty of opportunities for Indian students to make it to Canada.

Moreover, the presence of Indian students, as well as Indian communities — often close relatives — also fosters students’ confidence, providing them comfort and reducing homesickness.

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