Canadian post-secondary leaders and agents can be heard letting out a cautious sigh of relief. India announced on Thursday it would resume visa processing in Canada, which has been on ice since late September.
The news is a baby step towards reconciliation in the ongoing battle between the nations that threatens to disrupt the flow of students to Canada significantly.
Canada and India have been in a political row for months as a result of the Canadian government levelling accusations at India of playing a role in the death of a Canadian citizen in British Columbia—something India flatly denies.
Both countries have been taking turns expelling diplomats and holding up visa services. It is reported that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been the most affected department, losing 22 of its Canadian staff in India, leaving just five people still in the country.
Thursday last week, the Indian High Commission indicated they would resume visa services effective October 26. The hope across Canada is that with services continuing, the relationship may be starting to turn the corner and, in turn, will minimise visa delays for Indian students coming to Canada. India is Canada’s largest source market for international students, representing about 40 per cent of the entire market.
Though the political battle has continued for months, Canadian post-secondary leaders are reporting that Indian student application demand has remained steady as interest in post-grad work permits has remained strong. They do, however, wonder if students are starting to develop backup plans to other countries for fear of the visa processes being delayed. It is being reported that only 20,000 of the expected 38,000 visa applications will be processed through the end of December, with currently only 5 staff members remain on the ground in India to process visas. No reports have indicated what it will mean for incoming visas for January and May intakes.
Irrespective of the short-term good news in India, respected Canadian education writer Ken Steele indicates he is concerned the continued bad news could slow Indian interest in Canada as a study destination, much like Australia experienced in 2008 and 2009.
“We should consider the 46% drop in Indian study visa applications to Australia, after the reported assaults on international students in 2008 and 2009, as a potential precedent for the negative headlines in Canada,” said Steele. “The bad news alone could be enough to slow Indian interest in Canada as a study destination – but it is compounded by the Indian officials warning that Canada is a haven for terrorists.”
In the midst of the changes in India, the Canadian government has made recent changes to enhance quality control. As of December 1, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be getting Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to verify letters of acceptance to safeguard international students from fraud. The combined impact of the changes with IRCC and the slowdown in visas may delay students getting into Canada.
On the ground in India, “The demand for studying in Canada remains consistent,” said Canam Education Sr. Vice President Ganga Dandapani. “But students are understandably worried about potential delays. The DLIs we’ve been in contact with assure us they have adequate staff to mitigate any anticipated delays and in the long run, (the quality control changes) is a much anticipated positive initiative. With recent reductions in Canadian diplomatic staff in India, concerns about potential visa processing delays persist. However, until now, we haven’t observed any significant delays.”
While Global Reach Managing Director Ravi Lochan Singh says “Students are losing some interest in Canada and parents are less keen for their children to go to Canada.”
Watch this space.
