Maple News reports that the number of study permits processed for Indian students in Canada has taken a significant dip, with application processing down by over 40% since July 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Between July and October 2022, Canada processed approximately 146,000 study permit applications from Indian nationals. In contrast, during the same period in 2023, that number dropped to fewer than 87,000—a reduction of nearly 60,000 permits.
This shift comes as international students increasingly share their experiences of financial difficulty and housing insecurity on social media platforms. A recent analysis by ApplyBoard, an international recruitment platform, links the drop to growing concerns over the rising cost of living in Canada. The platform conducted a sentiment analysis of major Indian media and found housing-related content increased fivefold from April to August 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Moreover, negative sentiment in these articles jumped from 12% to 30%.
While Indian applicants have declined, Canada is still processing a high volume of study permits—now seeing increased interest from other countries that are helping offset the shortfall.
In response to affordability challenges impacting both domestic residents and international students, the Canadian government has launched multiple initiatives under its $12.1 billion CAD Affordability Plan. Measures include cutting childcare fees in Ontario by half, increasing pensions for seniors, and indexing a range of federal benefits to inflation levels.
Significantly, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will raise the cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants starting January 1, 2024. The threshold, unchanged since the early 2000s, will now better reflect current economic realities and help ensure international students are better prepared financially. According to IRCC, the change is aimed at reducing vulnerability and helping students avoid exploitation.
Additionally, most provinces continue to support residents through targeted programs that offer medical expense assistance, employment and childcare support, and affordable housing measures—all of which indirectly impact international students living in Canada.
Despite current challenges, Canada remains a top destination for global talent looking to study abroad. But with evolving economic pressures, applicants will need to be more informed and financially prepared than ever before.