Key Takeaways:
- Canadian visa regulations now restrict post-graduation work permits and increase financial requirements for Indian students.
- “Flagpoling” banned and higher Guaranteed Investment Certificate fees complicate Indian students’ Canadian study plans.
- Indian students’ visa applications sharply decline; they’re looking at alternatives like Australia despite its work limits.
Why Are Indian Students Losing Interest in Canadian Visas?
What Has Changed for Indian Students Seeking Canadian Visas?
The number of Indian students seeking Canadian visas has seen a dramatic decline due to new restrictions imposed by the Canadian government. These changes have directly impacted students pursuing post-graduation, who can no longer apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) at any Canadian port of entry (i.e., airports, land, or maritime borders).
What Do the New Restrictions Entail?
Effective June 21, 2024, the facility known as “flagpoling” has been banned. “Earlier, people entering Canada would get their visitor visas converted into work permits. This facility has now been withdrawn due to various reasons,” explained Gurtej Sandhu, a Chandigarh-based immigration expert. This move has left many international students, especially Indians, in a quandary.
Furthermore, in January, the Canadian government increased the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) fees from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635, making it even harder for students to afford their education in Canada. Additionally, work permits were also denied to undergraduate students, restricting them further.
Does Any Category of Students Still Qualify for the PGWP?
Yes, but with significant limitations. “The graduates of certain designated learning institutions may still be eligible for a PGWP. The work permits will be granted to students who study in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and construction. They will have to produce a job offer from a Canadian employer to get a work permit,” said a Canadian government spokesperson. This means that the opportunity for Indian students in other fields is now severely curtailed, forcing them to explore different avenues.
How Have These Changes Affected Visa Applications?
The effect has been immediate and severe. “We are witnessing a dramatic change. The number of Canadian study visa applications has dropped to half. It is bound to drop further as now the work permits are also being denied to the postgraduate students,” highlighted Gurtej Sandhu. This sharp decline is also evident in the data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While 45,000 study permits were granted to Indian students in January and February of this year, the number fell to just 4,210 in March 2024.
Are There Alternatives for Indian Students?
With work permit restrictions in Canada, Indian students are looking towards other countries like Australia for higher education opportunities. However, the Australian government has also imposed work limits, capping it at up to 48 hours, thus adding another layer of complexity for these students.
What Is the Bigger Picture?
This restriction is not only affecting post-graduation students but also general visitors who used to get their visitor visas converted into work permits easily. This has effectively closed a significant route that many students and visitors relied upon.
Interestingly, while Indian students’ numbers are declining in Canada, students from other countries like Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, and Bangladesh have received more study permits, altering the demographics of international student populations in Canada.
What Should Indian Students Do Next?
For students who still wish to apply for Canadian visas, it is vital to stay updated on the latest governmental changes. You can visit the official Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website for detailed and updated information about visa and work permit requirements.
As per VisaVerge.com, understanding these new immigration policies and planning accordingly will be crucial for students aiming to pursue studies in Canada. Preparing adequately and exploring other countries’ viable educational options will help navigate these challenging times.
Learn Today:
Glossary
1. Flagpoling: An immigration process where individuals inside Canada exit the country and immediately re-enter to have their immigration status updated, such as converting a visitor visa to a work permit. This practice has been banned effective June 21, 2024.
2. Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP): A temporary work permit available to international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada, allowing them to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Restrictions now prevent applying for PGWP at Canadian ports of entry.
3. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): A financial product requiring foreign students in Canada to deposit a specific amount as a part of the visa process. The GIC fee has been increased from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635, raising the financial barrier for students.
4. Designated Learning Institution (DLI): A school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. Graduates from certain DLIs in high-demand fields may still be eligible for PGWP under the new restrictions.
5. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): The Canadian government department responsible for matters related to immigration, refugees, and citizenship. IRCC provides data and oversees visa applications, including study permits for international students.
This Article In A Nutshell:
The decline in interest for Canadian visas among Indian students is due to new restrictions, including higher Guaranteed Investment Certificate fees and the ban on “flagpoling.” These changes have made it harder to obtain work permits and afford education, prompting students to explore other countries for their studies.
— By VisaVerge.com
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