The dream of studying in Canada, once the top destination for thousands of Indian students, is slipping away at a startling pace. The latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) paints a grim picture: in the second quarter of 2025, Canada issued only 17,885 study permits to Indian nationals, compared to 55,660 in the same period last year. This represents a staggering plunge of more than 65 per cent, marking one of the sharpest declines in recent history.
This isn’t just a temporary dip or a statistical anomaly. The trend has been consistent for the past several quarters, pointing towards a systemic tightening of Canada’s immigration and education policies. With strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada, rising tuition costs, stricter rules on student visas, and increased scrutiny on private colleges, the once open doors of Canadian education are slowly but steadily shutting.
For Indian students — who have long made up the largest group of international enrollees in Canada — the implications are severe. Families that had been investing years of savings in hopes of securing global opportunities for their children now face growing uncertainty. The decline also raises questions about the future of Canada’s education sector itself, which has thrived on international tuition fees, particularly from India. Universities and colleges in smaller provinces, heavily dependent on these students for revenue, are likely to feel the economic shock sooner than later.
Experts argue that Canada’s move is a deliberate recalibration. The government has repeatedly emphasized the need to curb the “unsustainable” influx of international students, citing housing shortages and pressure on public services. However, critics see it differently: they argue that Indian students are being disproportionately affected, caught in the crossfire of political disputes and policy experiments.
What is clear is that the decline is not likely to end anytime soon. The message from Ottawa is firm — Canada no longer wants to be the automatic first choice for Indian students. Instead, it is signaling a shift towards smaller, more selective intakes, focusing on quality over quantity.
As Canada closes its doors, students are already turning to alternative destinations like Australia, the UK, Germany, and even emerging hubs in Eastern Europe. But the loss is more than just statistical. It marks the fading of a decade-long era when Canada symbolized hope, opportunity, and a gateway to permanent residency for young Indians.
The harsh reality now stands undeniable: the golden corridor between India and Canada’s education system is narrowing fast — and for many aspiring students, it may soon shut completely.