India's visa suspension in Canada leaves Indian students in quandary

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: India's suspension of visa services in Canada is likely to have a significant impact on the country's education sector.

Canada is a popular destination for Indian students, and the suspension will make it difficult for them to obtain visas to study in the country.

In 2022, India was the largest source country for international students in Canada, with over 3,20,000 Indian students enrolled in Canadian universities and colleges.

This accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the total international student population in Canada, as reported by the Canadian Bureau of International Education.

The suspension of visa services is likely to deter many Indian students from applying to study in Canada. This could have a significant impact on the Canadian education sector. International students contribute billions of dollars to the Canadian economy each year.

Uncertainty looms

Pradeep Rawat, the founder of the All India Parents and Student Association, said, “The unprecedented diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have put students in a difficult position.”

Students who have applied to universities in Canada and are awaiting their visas are in a particularly difficult position. They may have already made plans to move to Canada and start their studies in the fall semester.

Now, they are facing uncertainty about whether they will be able to obtain visas in time, he adds.

Students forced to drop plans

One student from Bengaluru who wished to remain anonymous told News Trail, “I just got my education loan approved to study in a university in Toronto and paid the deposit for my residency. I have no idea what the next step is.”

The student raised concern about losing one year of their life, their money and all the efforts their family put into their education.

Pradeep Rawat added, “The only option for students for now is to seek admission to some private universities in India or other countries. However, this may not be a viable option for all students, as they may have already made plans to study in Canada.”

Adarsh Basavaj, a career coach shared a story of his acquaintance who sold their properties in India To move to Canada a couple of months ago and is now clueless on what the next step is.

Another student, whose course in Canada is ending in six months, said, "I don't see any problems happening on the ground here, but my husband applied for a visa to travel to Canada and now won't be able to come."