The Changing Landscape of Indian Students in Canada: Future Uncertain

Wed Apr 15 2026 06:07:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Once the top destination for Indian students, Canada is witnessing a drastic decline in applications due to visa issues and rising living costs. As diplomatic relations improve, the future for aspiring scholars remains mixed.

Canada, a historically favored destination for Indian students, is seeing a significant decline in applications, attributed to visa rejections, high costs, and deteriorating diplomatic ties. With about 80% drop in interest and a cap on student admits, many young Indians are reconsidering their educational pathways. The recent recovery attempts in diplomatic relations offer some hope for the future.

At an overseas education consultancy in the Indian capital, Delhi, students sit with their parents, flipping through brochures from universities in Italy, Germany, and Australia.

But one destination, once the top choice, is now largely absent.

Until 2023, most of our applications were for Canada, says Shobhit Anand, who runs the consultancy. Now, we have seen a drop of nearly 80% due to high visa rejection rates.

According to a recent report submitted by Canada's auditor general to parliament, the share of Indians in the country's international student population plummeted from 51.6% in 2023 to just 8.1% in September 2025.

The reasons are manifold: visa and immigration restrictions, escalating living costs, and a recent diplomatic crisis that initially damaged relations between India and Canada, although things have improved.

Canada's allure stemmed from its private colleges that previously offered a viable pathway for middle-class Indian families to study abroad and eventually settle in Canada through two- or three-year vocational courses, followed by job placements.

However, changes in policies have adversely affected this. In early 2024, Canada announced a restriction on the number of international students. Living costs surged, and the financial requirements doubled from C$10,000 to over C$20,000, making it increasingly difficult for families to secure funding.

Furthermore, the rate of study visa rejections skyrocketed, increasing from 38% in 2023 to 52% by 2024. This heightened reluctance among families in price-sensitive countries like India, shifting conversations from whether to go to Canada to if it's even worth applying.

As students ponder their options, some, like 17-year-old Tanishq Khurana, still feel the pull of Canada due to familial ties and better job opportunities. Despite its challenges, Canada retains its post-graduation work permit system, yet many graduates struggle to find stable employment, leaving their dreams in jeopardy.

While diplomatic relations improve with initiatives promoting new education partnerships, the path for many Indian students intending to study in Canada remains uncertain, transforming what was once a straightforward plan into a complex gamble.