Canada is increasing its proposed intake of immigrants into the country, targeting as many as 475,000 in 2024. Among the major beneficiaries of the plan will be Indians.

It’s estimated that nearly one-third of the newcomers to Canada by 2020 would be Indian. A study undertaken by Accenture Strategy projects that 50 per cent of all net new jobs created in Canada in the next decade will be filled by immigrants.

“This plan presents unprecedented opportunities for newcomers to join the Canadian family and contribute to our shared future,” says Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC). Canada is among the top three study destinations for Indian students, with 14 per cent of all international students in the country as from India. Nearly 90 per cent of all study permit holders from India received their education from a Canadian institution.

In 2017, Canada invited 7,749 Indians under its skilled worker programmer that provides a pathway to permanent residence along with dependents and spouses. The number of new invitations was nearly 26 per cent more than 2016. In 2016, Canada had issued 9,400 invitations to Indian skilled workers. More than 40 per cent of the total applications for permanent residence from India are processed through its Express Entry programmer under which those having skills and Canadian educational credentials receive preference.

In the first six months of 2017 alone, over 1,500 Indians received an invitation to apply for a permanent resident visa as a skilled worker nominee. This represents a significant increase over the same period last year.

As a result of these efforts by immigration authorities in Canada, nearly 200 study permit holders from India were granted study permits as they moved to study at public post-secondary institutions in Canada during the 2016-2017 academic years.

Entry requirements to study in Canada for international students

Hussen says, “The Government of Canada welcomes the findings of this study by Accenture Strategy that immigration is an economic driver that helps foster inclusive growth and brings significant benefits to the Canadian economy.”

“Canada’s future success will depend largely on the contributions of newcomers like you. We are honoured to count you among Canada’s newest immigrants.” 

To study in Canada, you need a study permit. You will have to go through the student visa application Canada process and wait for their approval. There are some exceptions (for example, if you are travelling as a tourist or if your course or program is less than six months), but whether you need one depends on what kind of studies you’re doing at each academic level: secondary school; post-secondary programs; and post-graduate programs.

If you want to study in Canada, you need a study permit visa with the help of tourist visa consultants in Chandigarh unless you are: 

  • A family member or employee of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). 
  • A person who is studying on a Canadian government sponsored exchange program (for example CPT), such as the Youth Mobility Program (YMP). If you’re from Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico or Peru, you can also study under the Professional and Seasonal workers category of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 
  • An international student enrolled at an authorized learning institution for English or French language training.
  • Travelling through Canada as a passenger with no study or work intentions; or
  • A minor dependent child of a parent who holds one of the following visas: study permit, work permit or temporary resident permit.

    Whether you need an entry visa for temporary work depends on where you are from, but if your country does require a visa, it must be single entry only and valid for six months or less. If you’re not sure whether you need a worker permit, contact the immigration office that serves your area (find yours through IRCC). You can also apply before you leave home make sure your application is accepted.

If you are a refugee or protected person, here’s what you need to know, including where you can find more information on specific documents. If you are travelling with family members who are not refugees or protected persons, their entry requirements will be different from yours.

Read more about study permits at study abroad consultants in Chandigarh. Entry requirements for visitors to study in Canada