The Canadian government processed 1.46 lakh new study permit applications for Indian nationals between July and October 2022, but the same period in 2023 saw a 40% decrease in applications.
Canada is stepping up its efforts to promote Francophone immigration with the introduction of a new pilot program, the ‘Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot’ (FMCSP), which is set to launch on August 26. This initiative, in partnership with designated French-language and bilingual post-secondary institutions, offers Francophone students a direct path to permanent residency. Along with this opportunity, participants will also enjoy additional benefits designed to support their integration into Canadian society.
In 2022, Indian students accounted for 2.2 lakh out of the 5.5 lakh new international students admitted to Canada. But the number of Indian students has sharply declined in 2023, due in part to strained diplomatic relations and the ongoing housing crisis in Canada
The program is tailored to assist French-speaking international students by exempting them and their families from the requirement to prove that they will leave Canada after their studies. Additionally, participants are not required to show proof of having CAD 20,635 in their bank accounts; instead, they need only meet 75% of the low-income cut-off for the community where their institution is based. Recognizing the challenges of rising housing costs, the Canadian government will also provide settlement services to help these students integrate smoothly into their new communities.
While the Canadian federal government has implemented a two-year cap on the intake of international students, the FMCSP pilot program is exempt from this restriction. However, the number of study permit applications under this pilot will be capped at 2,300 for the first year, with the cap for the second year to be determined by August 2025.
The program is designed to address historically low approval rates for study permits in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, where large populations of French-speaking students reside. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this new pilot program aims to make Canada’s International Student Program more accessible and equitable for students from these regions.
However, this initiative is not expected to benefit Indian students, who have traditionally formed a significant portion of Canada’s international student body.
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