Canada Study Visa Approval to Drop 50%

Indian students planning to study in Canada in 2024 are expected to face major challenges as study visa approvals may drop by nearly 50%. According to a report by ApplyBoard, stricter immigration policies and higher financial requirements are key reasons for this decline. The number of approved study permits is projected to return to levels last seen in 2018-2019.

The report estimates that just over 231,000 new study permits will be approved by the end of 2024, a stark contrast to the 436,000 permits approved in 2023. Global applications for Canadian study permits are also expected to drop by 39% in 2024 compared to 2023.

In 2022, 226,000 out of 550,000 international students in Canada were from India, highlighting the significant impact on Indian students. The Canadian government’s decision to increase financial requirements for international students has discouraged many prospective applicants.

In December 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller introduced new financial requirements, requiring students to show proof of at least $20,635 instead of the $10,000 requirement that had been in place for two decades. This change was designed to reflect the increasing cost of living in Canada.

In January 2024, Miller also announced a cap on the growth of international student numbers, leading to a predicted 35% reduction in student intake in 2024 compared to 2023. The impact on Indian students has been particularly severe, with study permit approvals halved in the first half of the year.

Additionally, applications for postgraduate programs, such as master’s and doctoral studies, also saw a decline. Between January and June 2024, only 114,000 study permits were approved, marking a 48% decrease compared to the same period last year.

If current trends continue, the Canadian government’s target of approving 364,000 study permits in 2024 may fall short. This projected count is about 47% lower than the 436,000 permits approved in 2023, showing the significant impact of the newly imposed cap on international students.