International Students are Not Choosing Canada Anymore
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Since the second half of 2023, there has been a meridian shift in the number of students wanting to pursue education in Canada.
Canada has long been known for its academic excellence, with outstanding education across several different universities in the country.
But with new socioeconomic changes setting in, there has been a sharp decline in the percentage of International students across the nation. This sharp fall indicates that the new changes are affecting the decision of people wanting to study there.
The first reason for not choosing Canada for overseas education is the huge expenses it comes with. The cost of living is rising, particularly in cities popular with international students like Toronto and Vancouver. Expenses for living, food, and transportation have all seen a significant rise. The number of students wanting to avail of all the huge expenses has decreased, particularly after the COVID-19 crisis.
Another economic factor is the fluctuating currency exchange rates of the Canadian dollar. For students from countries with weaker currencies compared to the Canadian dollar, these fluctuations affect their financial planning greatly.
Another factor playing a significant role in the decreasing number of international students in Canada is the shortage of houses across the country. High demand and limited supply have surged the rents high up, making them unaffordable for many.
Urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver have seen a dramatic increase in population growth. Coupled with immigration, this has severely impacted the housing market.
Also, the regulations surrounding student visas have been tightened. Factors such as proof of financial stability and educational background must meet stricter regulations, along with an enhanced focus on background and security checks.
The number of documents required to apply for student visas has increased, and the review process has become more detailed, too. Because of this reason, many Indian students have been severely impacted, with a 40% decrease in student visas for them.
Indian students make up the largest percentage of international students in Canada, and this decrease in student visas can seriously impact the universities’ budgets and the economy overall.
Many Canadian universities rely on the high tuition fees from international students, and this decrease in their percentage can impact their budgets. International students contribute significantly to the Canadian economy through tuition fees, living expenses, etc.
A sharp decline in the number of international students due to visa regulations may mean a decrease in the availability of skilled workers in Canada.
In this scenario, countries like the UK, Australia, and the USA are making policy revisions to become more attractive to international students and attract the best and brightest students from across the world.
The UK, for example, has introduced the Graduate Immigration Route to offer post-study work opportunities to international students. This policy allows students to stay in the UK after completing their studies to gather work experience.
The ease of studying in these countries may be another reason why international students prefer not to choose Canada anymore.
