Businesses with affiliations to universities and offices in Canada are apprehensive that visa applications from states such as Punjab and Haryana may face increased scrutiny, potentially making immigrant visas more difficult to obtain
The diplomatic strain between Canada and India, which has recently escalated with the expulsion of diplomats from both countries, is raising concerns about the future of visas for a significant number of immigrants, students, and workers who annually migrate to Canada. Canada is a highly sought-after destination for individuals from India, particularly from states like Punjab and Haryana.
The tension in diplomatic relations reached a critical point when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that individuals linked to the Indian government might have been involved in the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. This accusation has added to the complexity of the situation.
Businesses with affiliations to universities and offices in Canada are apprehensive that visa applications from states such as Punjab and Haryana may face increased scrutiny, potentially making immigrant visas more difficult to obtain. It’s worth noting that Canada is the second most favored destination for Indian students and immigrants, especially those hailing from Punjab and Haryana.
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Despite these concerns, consultants do not anticipate an immediate halt in the flow of students to Canada
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The economic contribution of international students to Canada is substantial, and more than 700,000 students ventured abroad for study last year, including a significant number choosing Canada, according to Indian government data
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However, the evolving diplomatic situation may lead to changes in the visa landscape for Indian applicants in the long run
Ankur Dhawan, the President of upGrad Abroad, a subsidiary of the edtech startup upGrad, expressed concerns about the impact on student visas, stating, “This will show up in the visa approvals in the long term. The success ratio of student visas for Canada is just 60% and may come down further. Students focusing on just Canada need to keep other options.”
Similarly, Ankit Mehra, co-founder and CEO of GyanDhan, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), emphasized that immigration visas would be of greater concern than student visas. He noted that Canadian authorities had already increased scrutiny of applicants’ documents over the past year, and this trend is expected to intensify. GyanDhan reported a significant increase in loan applications from individuals planning to study abroad between 2021 and 2023, with Punjab experiencing a fivefold surge in applications.
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, an education consultant that collaborates with banks and NBFCs to assist students heading abroad, highlighted the potential impact on immigration visas. He explained, “Immigration visas may get restricted since the Canadian government over the last few years has stressed that they prefer students to come in, acclimatize into the ecosystem and then settle down. Some of the Indian states will see more scrutiny now.”
Despite these concerns, consultants do not anticipate an immediate halt in the flow of students to Canada. The economic contribution of international students to Canada is substantial, and more than 700,000 students ventured abroad for study last year, including a significant number choosing Canada, according to Indian government data. However, the evolving diplomatic situation may lead to changes in the visa landscape for Indian applicants in the long run.
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