Canada’s 2-Year Visa Cap: Implications for Indian Students

Canada has recently introduced a new policy that limits the number of international student visas to be issued over the next two years. The cap is aimed at addressing the housing crisis and targeting problematic institutions that exploit international students. However, the policy could also have negative consequences for Indian students who see Canada as a preferred destination for higher education.

Why did Canada impose the cap?

According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, the cap is necessary to maintain a sustainable level of temporary residence in Canada and to ensure that future students receive the quality of education that they signed up for. He said that some private institutions have taken advantage of international students by operating under-resourced campuses, lacking supports for students and charging high tuition fees, while significantly increasing their intake of international students .

Miller also said that the cap will help address the housing concerns raised by some provinces, where the influx of international students has contributed to the shortage and affordability of rental units. He said that the cap will result in “much more significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth” .

How does the cap work?

The cap will be effective for two years, with a reassessment planned for 2025. For 2024, the federal government says it will approve 360,000 undergraduate study permits, with the aim of reducing the number by 35% from 2023. Each province and territory will be allotted a portion of the total, with permits distributed by population. The provinces and territories will be left to decide how permits are distributed across universities and colleges in their jurisdiction .

In addition to the cap, the federal government will also require international students applying for a permit to provide an attestation letter from a province or territory. Starting in September, international students who begin a program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement — where a private college has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college — will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Graduates of master’s and other “short graduate-level programs” will “soon” be able to apply for a three-year work permit .

How will this affect Indian students?

The cap could have a significant impact on Indian students who want to study in Canada. India was the first among the top ten origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with a total of 319,000 students . The cap could reduce their chances of getting a visa, especially if they apply to private colleges or short-term programs. It could also affect their ability to work in Canada after graduation, which is one of the main attractions of studying in Canada.

However, Miller said that the cap is not against individual international students and that Canada remains committed to welcoming them as valuable contributors to its economy and society. He said that Canada will continue to offer pathways to permanent residency for eligible international graduates and that it will invest in improving student supports and services .

Therefore, Indian students who want to study in Canada should carefully research their options and choose reputable institutions that offer quality education and post-graduation opportunities. They should also be prepared for possible delays or rejections in their visa applications and plan accordingly.

Share:

MORE STORIES

## Navigating the AI Revolution: 5 Trending Google Ads Topics for Marketers As Google Ads continues its rapid evolution, staying ahead of the curve is paramount for digital marketers. The platform’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, shifting privacy landscapes, and the introduction of new campaign types are creating a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. Here are five top trending blog topics that delve into the most critical areas of Google Ads today. ### 1. The Rise of the Machines: Mastering AI-Powered Campaign Types Google is unequivocally betting on AI to drive the future of its advertising platform. A key area of focus for marketers is understanding and mastering AI-driven campaign types like Performance Max and Demand Gen. These campaigns automate targeting, bidding, and ad creation across Google’s entire inventory. A deep dive into strategies for providing the right inputs to these “black box” models, interpreting their performance, and understanding how to guide the AI for optimal results is a crucial topic for advertisers looking to succeed in this new era. ### 2. Beyond the Click: Navigating the New Landscape of Measurement and Attribution With the impending deprecation of third-party cookies and a growing emphasis on user privacy, the way advertisers measure success is undergoing a fundamental shift. This has propelled topics like enhanced conversions, consent mode, and the integration of first-party data to the forefront. Marketers are actively seeking guidance on how to implement these privacy-centric measurement solutions to gain a more accurate and holistic view of their campaign performance in a world without granular user tracking. ### 3. Creative is the New Targeting: Leveraging AI for Compelling Ad Experiences In an automated world, the creative has become a key differentiator. Google is investing heavily in AI-powered tools that can generate and optimize ad copy, images, and videos. Blog posts that explore how to effectively use these generative AI features to create a high volume of diverse and engaging ad creatives are gaining significant traction. This includes best practices for providing creative inputs, A/B testing AI-generated assets, and ensuring brand consistency across automated campaigns. ### 4. The Evolution of Search: Adapting to a More Conversational and Visual SERP The traditional keyword-based search is evolving. Users are increasingly employing longer, more conversational queries, and Google is responding with a more visual and AI-driven search engine results page (SERP). This shift requires a re-evaluation of traditional keyword research and bidding strategies. Trending discussions revolve around how to adapt to this new reality, including the role of broad match keywords, the importance of high-quality creative in visual search formats, and strategies for capturing intent in a more conversational search landscape. ### 5. Future-Proofing Your Strategy: The Growing Importance of a Full-Funnel Approach As automation takes over many of the manual levers within Google Ads, the focus is shifting towards a more strategic, full-funnel marketing approach. Advertisers are looking for insights on how to effectively use different Google Ads campaign types to guide users through the entire customer journey, from initial awareness to final conversion and retention. This includes discussions on how to structure campaigns to complement each other, allocate budgets across the funnel, and measure the impact of upper-funnel activities on bottom-line results.

Google Ads is in the midst of a quiet revolution—one driven by artificial intelligence, privacy-first regulations, and a rapidly changing search landscape. For digital marketers,

Send Us A Message