Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a strategic move to reduce the number of international study permits granted to foreign students, aiming to curb the rising population of temporary residents in the country. As part of this initiative, the government will decrease the number of study permits by 35% this year, with plans for an additional 10% cut next year. This decision underscores the government's intent to crack down on abuses of the immigration system.

Data from the immigration department shows that Canada approved over 509,000 international student permits in 2023, with approximately 175,920 permits granted in the first seven months of 2024. With the new regulations in place, the number of permits is expected to fall to 437,000 in 2025. The changes also include limitations on work permit eligibility for the spouses of certain students and temporary foreign workers, further tightening the immigration landscape.

These alterations come at a time when Trudeau's Liberal government, facing declining public support ahead of the upcoming federal elections, is eager to address concerns about the impact of temporary residents on housing affordability and the cost of living. Statistics Canada indicates a substantial increase in temporary residents over the past two years, with numbers rising from 1.4 million in mid-2022 to 2.8 million by mid-2024.

For Indian students, who have been increasingly drawn to Canada—about 4.27 lakh currently studying there—the implications of these new rules are significant. Between 2013 and 2022, the number of Indian students moving to Canada surged by 260%. With approximately 40% of overseas students in Canada coming from India, the tightened immigration policy may prompt these students to consider alternatives in countries like the US, UK, or Australia.

As Canada seeks to balance its immigration policies with public sentiment, the future of international students—especially from India—remains uncertain. The shift could lead to a pivotal change in student migration patterns, affecting not only individual aspirations but also Canada's educational landscape.