India is by far the leading source of international students that move to Canada.
Last year, nearly 35 per cent of Canada’s new student visas were issued to Indians, which was well ahead of the second-leading country (China, at 21 per cent).
In total, Indians represent 34 per cent of the over 640,000 international students in Canada.
Why Canada is attractive to Indian students
India is such a major source of Canada’s international students for reasons including:
- India has a large middle-class population with high levels of English proficiency.
- Canada is a more affordable option than other countries and yet it offers a very high standard of education. Indian students can also work while studying in Canada to help cover their living expenses.
- Indians are attracted by Canada’s reputation as being an open and multicultural society, and that the country has a large Indian diaspora.
- Canada offers many options for Indians that want to study, work, and eventually immigrate. Indian students are well-placed to obtain Canadian permanent residence due to their high levels of English proficiency, educational and professional experience gained in India, as well as the experiences they gain in Canada.
Many Indians will still want to begin their studies in Canada in the fall of 2020, despite the interruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to COVID-19, Canada has introduced many policies to help accommodate the immigration goals of people around the world.
For example, Canada has recently stated that it will accept incomplete study permit applications if an individual is not able to get all the documentation they need because of coronavirus disruptions. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will wait for applicants to obtain such documentation, rather than reject the applicant.
In addition, Canada has made a major reform that will en