If you want to pursue higher studies abroad, you will certainly have numerous options to choose from. International students from India can opt for the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK, and even some European destinations like France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Austria, among others.
Among all these destinations, the most popular after the United States, of course, is Canada. Of more than 8 lakh visas Of the visas issued by Canada to international students in 2022, about 40 per cent were from India, immigration data reveals.
This means that around 3.2 lakh Indian students are living in Canada on student visas.
In fact, Canada is sparsely populated, with a population of only 40 million, despite being the second largest country by total area. In addition, the country faces harsh winters with certain provinces where the average daily temperature is around -15 degrees Celsius.
So why do a large number of Indian students travel to Canada for higher studies?
The number of students entering this North American country has reached such a point that the local government has begun to… limit the number of study permits It is broadcast every year.
In 2024, there will be 35 percent fewer student visas Compared to the previous year, 364,000 new permits will be issued, which is 35 percent less than the number of student visas issued last year (i.e. 560,000), according to data shared by Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
This was part of a move to impose a two-year limit on new international student visas amid a growing housing crisis.
Let us understand why Canada manages to generate so much interest among international students from India.
Key factors responsible for bringing in record numbers of students from India:
YO. Affordable studies: Studying at a Canadian university is much cheaper than studying at an American university. For example, a top American university like Stanford University can cost you more than $100. ₹2 crores for an MBA; a top-tier Canadian university will have you loosening the umbilical cord in less than half, say, ₹80 lakhs.
The Canadian dollar, compared to the US dollar, is also cheaper when compared to the Indian currency. The Canadian dollar is equivalent to ₹61 while the US dollar is equivalent to ₹83.76, as of August 20, 2024.
second. Opportunity to settle down: One of the key incentives for studying abroad is being able to settle there.
Those who study in Canada for one year are entitled to stay there for one year, and those who study in higher education for two years can stay for up to three years.
The student visa often leads to a work visa after which candidates can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada.
III. Proximity to the land of opportunity: One of the main geographical advantages of being in Canada is that it shares a border with the United States.
Canada and the United States share a 5,525-mile border that stretches from Alaska to Maine. This is also the longest international land border in the world.
IV. Democratic systemCanada follows a parliamentary democracy, as does India. Unlike several countries such as the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia, which may be prosperous but follow authoritarian regimes, they do not generally attract students from democratic countries like India, at least not in the same proportion.
Besides, Canada It has one of the highest immigration rates per capita in the world, driven primarily by economic policy and family reunification. In 2021, 405,000 immigrants were admitted.
V. English speaking nationThere are not many English-speaking countries that have a reputation for offering excellent higher education. It is not surprising, then, that the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada attract a large number of international students from India.
Several countries, especially in the European peninsula like Germany, France and Switzerland, are also known for their higher education institutions, but their mother tongue is not English. This is considered to be one of the main reasons why they are not the first choice for Indian students.
VI. Indian DiasporaAnother reason that may have influenced the attraction of a large number of Indian students is that there is a large Indian diaspora in Canada, particularly in Vancouver and Toronto.
There are a large number of Indians in Canada. In the Greater Toronto Area, there are over 600,000 Indians permanently residing there, while in Vancouver there are over 300,000 Indian citizens permanently residing there, according to data released by the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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