The recent tightening of immigration policies in Canada has led to a notable decline in the number of Indian students applying for undergraduate study permits. An internal communication reveals that the elimination of spousal work permits for international students has influenced many Indian applicants to seek educational opportunities in countries with more favourable visa conditions, such as Germany and Sweden.
Shift in Immigration Policy
A report from 2025, obtained through access to information laws, outlines the impact of policy changes enacted by the Canadian government under former Immigration Minister Marc Miller. The communication highlights how the previous practice of marriages of convenience—where Indian students wed to gain spousal work permits—has been curtailed, resulting in a shift in student demographics. This internal document, sent from Han Duan, a migration officer at Canada’s High Commission in New Delhi, underscored that the high costs associated with studying in Canada had led many students to rely on these arrangements for financial support.
The report disclosed that advertisements promoting such marriages were prevalent in Indian media and dating platforms. However, following the rule changes in early 2024, which halted the issuance of open work permits for most undergraduate students’ spouses, many prospective students have redirected their attention to international destinations that still allow spousal visas.
Declining Numbers
Statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal a stark drop in the number of Indian study permit holders, plummeting from 277,950 in 2023 to just 93,840 in 2025. This decline is troubling for Canadian educational institutions that rely heavily on international students as a revenue source.
Richard Kurland, a prominent immigration lawyer, noted that Canada has the ability to select its student population, suggesting that it should prioritise those who can afford their studies without the need for work permits. Kurland remarked, “Study permits should not be a dating trampoline to Canada,” emphasising the need for more stringent measures to ensure genuine student applications.
Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, attributed the decline not only to the new rules but also to the unpredictable nature of immigration policies. He pointed out that many potential applicants are now opting for countries that allow family members to accompany them, thereby enhancing their study experience.
Policy Implications
The Canadian government has taken a firm stance on maintaining the integrity of its international student programme, with recent reforms aimed at reducing fraud and ensuring that only qualified candidates gain entry. According to IRCC spokesperson Jeffrey MacDonald, the initiatives were designed to bolster the programme’s integrity, albeit at the expense of approval rates. He affirmed that the department is equipped to identify fraudulent relationships and that any application deemed insincere would be denied.
Additionally, the immigration department has tightened regulations surrounding spousal work permits further in early 2025, limiting them exclusively to students enrolled in longer master’s or doctoral programmes. This change has further restricted opportunities for students who previously relied on their spouses for financial support during their studies in Canada.
Concerns about Student Quality
The internal report also raised alarms regarding the quality of applicants following the introduction of stricter regulations. Duan indicated a noticeable drop in both the number of applications and the proficiency levels of candidates, particularly in English language skills. A targeted analysis suggested that the integrity of language testing among Indian applicants has become a pressing concern, as many were found lacking despite possessing the necessary qualifications on paper.
Why it Matters
The significant reduction in Indian student applications to Canada not only affects the country’s educational institutions financially but also raises questions about the future of the international student programme. As prospective students explore more welcoming environments abroad, Canada risks losing its competitive edge in attracting global talent. This situation underscores the need for a careful balance between maintaining immigration integrity and fostering an inclusive educational landscape that appeals to international students and their families.