Why in News? Canada remains the preferred destination for Indians - particularly those in Punjab - wishing to study abroad, despite alternatives like the US, Australia, UK and New Zealand offering quality education.

What Restrictions Recently Canada Imposed? Canada capped the number of international students it will admit, made attestation letters compulsory to obtain study permits and closed the spousal Open Work Permit. This means that students cannot be accompanied by their spouses for a majority of undergraduate courses. Yet, Canada remains the preferred destination for Indians

Why Canada Still Remains the Preferred Destination for Indians?

1. Opportunity to settle down post-studies: Despite Canada’s policy changes, Canada continues to offer better chances of settling down post-studies, compared to other countries. Students are eligible to obtain a work permit after completing their education, and can subsequently also apply for a Permanent Residency (PR).
2. High visa success rate: If students meet all requirements, Canada’s visa success rate remains very high (sometimes even 100%).
3. An existing Indian presence: Over 3.8 lakh Indians (37% of all international students) are already in Canada. The presence of Indian students and close relatives fosters students’ confidence, providing them comfort and reducing homesickness.

Why are Other Countries Less Attractive?

1. Australia’s visa refusal rate is quite high (up to 70%) and Australian colleges are especially reluctant to accept students from state boards, especially in North Indian states such as Punjab and Haryana. Also, Australia’s visa process lacks transparency.
2. The UK has significantly stricter rules for students. For instance, students are not allowed to bring dependents (like parents, partners, or children).
3. Despite courses available for international students in European countries such as Germany and France, many students are not familiar with these options.
4. With regards to the US, the visa process is not nearly as transparent as in Canada. Currently, there are 2.68 lakh Indian students in the US, but most are from the Southern states.