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The flow of Indian undergraduate students seeking to study in Canada has significantly dwindled in recent years, primarily due to the cessation of a programme that previously allowed their spouses to secure work permits. Internal communications from the Canadian government reveal that this shift is linked to an increase in “marriages of convenience” among Indian students, a practice that facilitated financial support for their studies and living expenses. As a result of Ottawa’s policy changes, many prospective students are now looking towards alternative destinations with more lenient immigration regulations.
Shift in Immigration Policy
A confidential email from Han Duan, the migration first secretary at Canada’s High Commission in New Delhi, highlights the drastic implications of the 2024 policy changes enforced by then-immigration minister Marc Miller. These changes ended the issuance of open work permits to spouses of most undergraduate international students, effectively closing off a pathway that many Indian applicants had relied upon. The email, obtained through access to information laws, outlines how this alteration in policy has prompted a notable decline in applications from Indian students, who have increasingly turned to countries like Germany, Sweden, and Finland, where spousal visas remain available.
The email details how marriages of convenience were once widely advertised in Indian media and dating platforms, allowing students to bring their spouses to Canada to work. Duan noted that the high cost of education and living in Canada had led many applicants to seek financial support through these arrangements.
Impact on Student Numbers
Statistics reveal a substantial drop in the number of Indian study permit holders, plummeting from 277,950 in 2023 to just 93,840 in 2025, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This trend represents a significant revenue loss for Canadian institutions that depend on international enrolment. Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer who brought the email to public attention, expressed the view that the government should favour applicants who can financially sustain themselves without the need for work permits.
The tightening of regulations has not only resulted in fewer applications but also raised concerns about the quality of applicants. Duan’s report suggests that some students may lack the requisite English proficiency, despite possessing the necessary qualifications.
Broader Repercussions of Policy Changes
The Canadian government’s stringent measures have not gone unnoticed, with other nations such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand also experiencing declines in Indian student applications after implementing similar restrictions. Syed Hussan, executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, attributes the downturn to a growing preference among students for countries that allow family accompaniment.
Changes enacted in January 2024 further limited open work permits exclusively to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programmes, as well as select professional programmes. The IRCC emphasised that these alterations were aimed at enhancing the integrity of the International Student Programme and protecting genuine students against fraud, including instances of marriage fraud.
The Government’s Stance
In light of these developments, an IRCC spokesperson affirmed the critical role that international students play in supporting Canada’s research, innovation, and economic growth. They acknowledged that the reforms may have affected approval rates but asserted that the overarching goal was to maintain the integrity of the study permit system. Immigration officers have been trained to detect fraudulent relationships, with strict enforcement measures in place for those found to be misrepresenting their situations.
The email from Duan also indicated a concerning trend regarding the integrity of language testing among applicants, suggesting that some may have presented false qualifications.
Why it Matters
The decline in Indian students applying to Canadian institutions raises significant questions about the future of Canada’s appeal as a study destination. With many potential students opting for countries with more favourable immigration policies, Canada risks losing not only a vital source of economic support for its educational institutions but also its reputation as a welcoming environment for international scholars. As the landscape of global education shifts, policymakers must reconsider the implications of their regulations and the message they send to aspiring students around the world.
