NEW DELHI: Canada, once a preferred haven for Indian students, has imposed its toughest visa regime in a decade—rejecting nearly 80% of applications from India in 2025, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The steep spike in denials has disrupted traditional student flows, reshaping the global education map.
In 2024, only 1.88 lakh Indians secured admission to Canadian institutions—barely half of what was recorded two years earlier. Canada’s share of Indian students has plunged from 18% in 2022 to just 9% in 2024. By contrast, Germany now leads as the most sought-after destination, drawing 31% of Indian students.
Why Canada tightened visas
The restrictions are rooted in domestic pressures—housing shortages, strained infrastructure, and growing political demands to prioritize local talent. Financial prerequisites for students have doubled to over CA$20,000, language benchmarks have become more stringent, and post-study work options have narrowed. Even the Student Direct Stream, once a fast-track channel, has been scrapped.
Ottawa plans to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025—about 10% fewer than last year—including 73,000 for postgraduates, 243,000 for undergraduates, and roughly 120,000 for renewals and school-level students.
Ripple effects on students and universities
The impact has been severe. Families investing in language tests, applications, and pre-departure courses now face dashed hopes, while Canada’s once-appealing pathway to permanent residency has grown uncertain. Smaller colleges that relied heavily on international tuition are under strain, with some at risk of mergers or closure.
Germany steps up
As Canada contracts, Germany is drawing unprecedented interest. The number of Indian students there has doubled in five years, reaching nearly 60,000 in 2025. Its publicly funded universities, lower living costs, expanding English-language programmes, and clearer career pathways have made it a magnet, particularly for engineering, management, and technology fields.
Other rising destinations include France, Finland, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and parts of the Middle East—regions capitalizing on affordability and robust employment options.
A shifting global education order
The changes mark a turning point in international student mobility. No longer driven by prestige alone, Indian students are prioritizing cost, quality, and long-term employability. As North America tightens entry, Europe and Asia are fast emerging as new hubs.
For policymakers and universities alike, the lesson is clear: adapt to the evolving landscape—or risk losing out in a rapidly rebalanced global education market.
