Canada is reportedly set to reduce the number of international students entering the country for post-secondary education. The cut in study visas is expected later this year. In 2023, Canada issued a record 579,075 study visas after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a surge in international student numbers from 617,250 in 2021 to over 900,000 in 2023. Public opinion has linked high immigration levels and international students to housing affordability issues in urban areas.
The Canadian government now aims to reduce study visas to sustainable levels. Currently, educational institutions in various provinces can admit any number of international students. The federal government plans to decide the number of study visas issued, allotting a specific quota to each province. While study visas for Indian students have seen a significant drop of over 80% this year, the overall reduction in numbers will impact Indian students the most, as there are currently over 340,000 Indian students in Canada.
(With Agency Inputs)
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