As diplomatic relations between India and Canada seem to have taken a downturn, Indian aspirants—for whom Canada is the second most sought-after country—are wondering about the future uncertainties. Past statistics indicate that India continues to be the key source of immigration for Canada as over 1,18,00 Indians were granted ‘Permanent Resident (PR)’ status last year, which was 27% of the total PRs issued.
As per the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Indian students contributed $4.9 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021, and they constituted the largest international student group in Canada, accounting for 20% of all international students in 2021. Moreover, more than 15,000 Indian tech workers moved to Canada last year, which also makes it a promising country for jobs and careers. But with the recent souring of relations between the two countries, experts are reflecting on whether the increasing numbers are poised to go downhill.
Considering Fall session
A recent TOI report claims that representatives of Canadian universities participating in an education fair in Hyderabad, have cautioned that the ongoing political conflict between the two nations could lead to visa delays for Indian students and potentially disrupt the spring academic session scheduled to start in January. They suggested that students inclined towards Canadian colleges should consider planning their academic session for the next fall/autumn session, in August 2024. With only around three months to go for students to travel for the spring batch, the visa processing time may pose challenges, they said.
Passing phase
“The present diplomatic exchange will not have much impact on student mobilisation from India. We personally feel this is a temporary phase which shall pass soon. Indian students contribute to around 25-30% of Canada’s annual budget and the Indian working population too contributes substantially,” says Raghwa Gopal, CEO, M Square Media (MSM), a Canada-based global education company, allaying fears of a possible repercussion.
The escalating diplomatic tension has made parents, and students studying in Canada wary, as they choose their words carefully. “The situation is not as grim as it is made out to be. Besides, the ‘development’ is far too recent, hence, there is no reason for us to speculate – at least for the time being; studies are continuing as before, and there is no evidence of any disruption in day-to-day life,” says a parent from Ludhiana, Punjab, on condition of anonymity whose son is pursuing a Computer Science undergraduate programme at a Canadian university. In the event of a crisis, she is banking on her relatives in Canada to extend support, as her son has barely spent a year on campus.
Clouds of uncertainty
Highlighting that the current tensions may not have a long-term impact, Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO, Leverage Edu, says, “A large part of the Canadian economy and private college infrastructure is run by Indian students opting to study there every year – and just that is significant enough for structured solving of this issue at the Canadian government’s end.”
According to current estimates, more than 300,000 Indian students went to Canada last year and this number was only expected to grow this year. “But the situation has snowballed, and as an immediate precautionary measure, we are stopping all new applications to Canada until there is more clarity on the issue. We are asking our students to redirect plans towards the US or UK if possible, so, we do expect this (stand-off) to affect the number of Indian students heading to Canada this year. There may not be a major impact policy-wise for Indian students, but there could be a possible drop in demand for Canada as a destination country. A lot of destination markets were waiting for Canada to slip up, and now the tides could move in their favour,” Chaturvedi says, pointing to the fact that their tech-enabled study abroad platform is receiving several queries around the situation from students and the advice right now is to simply follow the Indian government directive.
“We have been in constant conversation with all our Canadian university partners, and they remain confident that this diplomatic rift will have no impact on the processing of applications or their ability to issue students a permit to enter Canada on a student visa,” he adds.
“But since India has suspended the Canadian visa process, now Canadian reaction will decide the future of Indian students,” says Prof Awadhesh Bhardwaj, Computer Science and Engineering department, Conestoga College Kitchener – Doon Campus, Ontario, Canada, informing further that the number of Indian students coming to Canada every day has not dropped. He suggests the need to put a cap on Indian student enrolments as “they are not getting jobs here and the rent prices too are high, moreover, even after completion of their respective courses, they are forced to work as labourers, which is sad, considering they put their hard-earned money to fulfil their overseas aspirations.”
Apoorva Tripathi, working in a multinational company in Ontario after pursuing a Master’s in Health Care Administration and Service Management, is more optimistic, saying, “Everything is fine as of now for the students in Canada and working professionals. Decisions are being made at the political level, and while there is some worry about aggravation of the present situation, we must wait and watch.” PM Trudeau has already said that his statement was not intended to provoke India, she adds.
As per the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Indian students contributed $4.9 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021, and they constituted the largest international student group in Canada, accounting for 20% of all international students in 2021. Moreover, more than 15,000 Indian tech workers moved to Canada last year, which also makes it a promising country for jobs and careers. But with the recent souring of relations between the two countries, experts are reflecting on whether the increasing numbers are poised to go downhill.
Considering Fall session
A recent TOI report claims that representatives of Canadian universities participating in an education fair in Hyderabad, have cautioned that the ongoing political conflict between the two nations could lead to visa delays for Indian students and potentially disrupt the spring academic session scheduled to start in January. They suggested that students inclined towards Canadian colleges should consider planning their academic session for the next fall/autumn session, in August 2024. With only around three months to go for students to travel for the spring batch, the visa processing time may pose challenges, they said.
Passing phase
“The present diplomatic exchange will not have much impact on student mobilisation from India. We personally feel this is a temporary phase which shall pass soon. Indian students contribute to around 25-30% of Canada’s annual budget and the Indian working population too contributes substantially,” says Raghwa Gopal, CEO, M Square Media (MSM), a Canada-based global education company, allaying fears of a possible repercussion.
The escalating diplomatic tension has made parents, and students studying in Canada wary, as they choose their words carefully. “The situation is not as grim as it is made out to be. Besides, the ‘development’ is far too recent, hence, there is no reason for us to speculate – at least for the time being; studies are continuing as before, and there is no evidence of any disruption in day-to-day life,” says a parent from Ludhiana, Punjab, on condition of anonymity whose son is pursuing a Computer Science undergraduate programme at a Canadian university. In the event of a crisis, she is banking on her relatives in Canada to extend support, as her son has barely spent a year on campus.
Clouds of uncertainty
Highlighting that the current tensions may not have a long-term impact, Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO, Leverage Edu, says, “A large part of the Canadian economy and private college infrastructure is run by Indian students opting to study there every year – and just that is significant enough for structured solving of this issue at the Canadian government’s end.”
According to current estimates, more than 300,000 Indian students went to Canada last year and this number was only expected to grow this year. “But the situation has snowballed, and as an immediate precautionary measure, we are stopping all new applications to Canada until there is more clarity on the issue. We are asking our students to redirect plans towards the US or UK if possible, so, we do expect this (stand-off) to affect the number of Indian students heading to Canada this year. There may not be a major impact policy-wise for Indian students, but there could be a possible drop in demand for Canada as a destination country. A lot of destination markets were waiting for Canada to slip up, and now the tides could move in their favour,” Chaturvedi says, pointing to the fact that their tech-enabled study abroad platform is receiving several queries around the situation from students and the advice right now is to simply follow the Indian government directive.
“We have been in constant conversation with all our Canadian university partners, and they remain confident that this diplomatic rift will have no impact on the processing of applications or their ability to issue students a permit to enter Canada on a student visa,” he adds.
“But since India has suspended the Canadian visa process, now Canadian reaction will decide the future of Indian students,” says Prof Awadhesh Bhardwaj, Computer Science and Engineering department, Conestoga College Kitchener – Doon Campus, Ontario, Canada, informing further that the number of Indian students coming to Canada every day has not dropped. He suggests the need to put a cap on Indian student enrolments as “they are not getting jobs here and the rent prices too are high, moreover, even after completion of their respective courses, they are forced to work as labourers, which is sad, considering they put their hard-earned money to fulfil their overseas aspirations.”
Apoorva Tripathi, working in a multinational company in Ontario after pursuing a Master’s in Health Care Administration and Service Management, is more optimistic, saying, “Everything is fine as of now for the students in Canada and working professionals. Decisions are being made at the political level, and while there is some worry about aggravation of the present situation, we must wait and watch.” PM Trudeau has already said that his statement was not intended to provoke India, she adds.
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