Canada, US Student Visas Drop 40% as Indian Enrollment Hits 4-Year Low

For the first time in four years, your chances of securing a student visa for major study destinations have dramatically changed. The latest canada india news reveals an unprecedented simultaneous decline of at least 25% in Indian student visas across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

If you’re planning to study abroad, you should know that Canada’s study permits for Indian students have dropped from 2.78 lakh to 1.89 lakh, while US F1 visas decreased from 1,31,000 to 86,110. The UK has also seen its sponsored student visas fall to 88,732. This significant shift in study abroad news comes after a decade where Indian students had consistently outnumbered their Chinese counterparts in securing study permits across these countries.

Canada and US tighten visa rules for Indian students

Recent policy shifts have significantly altered the landscape for Indian students seeking education opportunities in North America. Both countries have implemented substantial changes, albeit through different approaches.

Canada ends Student Direct Stream program

In a major development in canada india news, the Canadian government officially terminated the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program on November 8, 2024. This fast-track visa processing system, introduced in 2018, had been instrumental for Indian students securing quick study permits. The program, which served students from 14 countries including India, Brazil, China, and Pakistan, was discontinued abruptly as part of Canada’s effort to “strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and give all students equal and fair access”.

Consequently, prospective students must now navigate the regular study permit stream, which requires more documentation and longer processing times. The new process demands Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letters (TAL), with applications submitted without these documents being returned with fees. Furthermore, students face stricter financial proof requirements than under the previous streamlined system.

The impact has been immediate and significant for indian student canada aspirants. In 2024, study permits granted to Indian students in Canada dropped by 32% — from 2.78 lakh in 2023 to 1.89 lakh. This decline follows Canada’s introduction of a 35% cap on study permits compared to the previous year, with an additional 10% reduction announced for 2025.

US sees drop despite no new India-specific rules

Despite implementing no official policy changes targeting Indian applicants specifically, the US has nevertheless witnessed a sharp decline in F1 visas issued to indian student in usa applicants. This unexpected drop stems primarily from administrative changes and procedural bottlenecks.

Since mid-March, visa interview appointments have become remarkably scarce. Students who secured appointments in February received April slots, but May appointments have vanished entirely. The US embassy is reportedly upgrading its systems to address loopholes being exploited for visa appointment slots.

Ironically, this visa crunch comes after Indian students reached a historic milestone in 2024, becoming the largest international student group in the US with 337,630 enrollments. Additionally, Indian postgraduate enrollments rose by 18% to 196,000.

For those following study abroad news, uncertainty has been compounded by concerns over potential restrictions on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visas that might affect post-graduation employment opportunities. Without any official communication regarding when new appointment slots will open, many students face the possibility of missing their Fall 2025 intake deadlines.

Immigration caps and housing pressures reshape policy

Housing shortages and infrastructure pressures have emerged as major drivers behind sweeping policy changes affecting indian students abroad news. Several host countries have implemented restrictive measures citing unprecedented strains on their public systems.

Canada introduces 35% cap on study permits

Major policy shifts in canada india news were announced in January 2024, when Immigration Minister Marc Miller implemented a cap expected to limit new study permits to approximately 360,000—a substantial 35% decrease from 2023. This policy introduces provincial and territorial quotas weighted by population, with a further 10% reduction planned for 2025. Justin Trudeau reinforced this position in September, stating “We’re granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10%”.

UK and Canada cite housing and healthcare strain

Both nations have explicitly linked their policy restrictions to domestic infrastructure concerns. Canadian officials stated that “rapid increases in the number of international students arriving in Canada puts pressure on housing, health care and other services”. These temporary measures will remain for two years while the government works with educational institutions to ensure “adequate levels of student housing”.

However, some academics have challenged these claims. Research from York University indicates most international students “can only afford to spend a few hundred dollars a month on rent,” forcing many into overcrowded, illegal basements or even homelessness. Critics argue international students are unfairly “being blamed for health-care challenges” despite Canada’s healthcare system being “significantly strained since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Dependent visa restrictions hit Indian families

Perhaps most impactful for indian student canada aspirants are the new restrictions on family visas. The UK specifically targeted foreign students bringing dependents, while Canada’s overall reductions indirectly affect family migration. These policies disrupt a vital system that “allows families to stay together during international assignments or studies”.

For successful applicants, stringent requirements now govern dependent visas. Sponsors must demonstrate they can financially support dependents “without relying on public funds”. Moreover, visa holders must secure appropriate accommodation with supporting proof before family members arrive. These compounding restrictions have fundamentally reshaped the study abroad landscape for Indian families planning international education.

Visa data reveals sharpest drop in a decade

The latest visa data paints a stark picture for indian students abroad news, with unprecedented declines across major destinations. Official figures reveal the most significant simultaneous drop in Indian student numbers since 2020.

Canada sees 32–41% drop in Indian student permits

The impact on indian student canada flow has been particularly severe. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), permits granted to Indian students fell from 278,110 in 2023 to 189,070 in 2024—a steep 32% decline. Indians now comprise 36% of total permits issued, down from 41% in 2023. Notably, college applications saw an even more dramatic 54% plunge, far exceeding the government’s 35% reduction target. In fact, when examining the first ten months of 2024, approvals for certain study levels fell by as much as 60% compared to the same period in 2023.

US F1 visas fall from 1.31 lakh to 86,110

The downward trend in canada india news extends to America as well. Data shows indian student in usa numbers experienced their sharpest decline in over a decade, with F1 visa approvals dropping from 131,000 to 86,110—a substantial 34% decrease between fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Interestingly, this decline occurred without any new India-specific visa rules, reflecting broader changes in global mobility patterns.

UK sees second consecutive year of decline

The United Kingdom presents a particularly concerning pattern in study abroad news. Unlike Canada and the US, the UK has now recorded two consecutive years of declining Indian student numbers. Initially, sponsored student visas for Indians dropped 13% from 138,980 to 119,738 in 2023. This was followed by an even steeper 26% reduction in 2024, bringing the number down to 88,732. The UK Home Office acknowledged these changes have “partly impacted the number of main applicant visas granted”.

This unprecedented simultaneous decline across all three major destinations marks a significant shift after nearly a decade of consistent growth in outbound student mobility from India.

Will traditional destinations lose their dominance?

While traditional study destinations face unprecedented declines, several alternative countries are rapidly gaining popularity among Indian students. This shifting landscape represents one of the most significant redistributions of global student mobility in recent years.

Germany and New Zealand attract Indian students

As the Big Four destinations lose ground, Germany has emerged as a top alternative, experiencing a remarkable 68% increase in Indian student enrollments from 2022 to 2024, growing from 20,700 to 34,700. This surge is primarily driven by Germany’s combination of high-quality education and minimal tuition costs—public universities there charge virtually no fees. The country’s exceptional engineering and technical education programs have made it particularly attractive for STEM students.

New Zealand has witnessed an even more dramatic rise, with Indian student numbers soaring by an astonishing 354% between 2022 and 2024, jumping from 1,600 to 7,300. A recent government analysis predicts New Zealand will achieve full post-Covid recovery in international student enrollments by 2025. Nearly nine out of ten international students rated New Zealand as a positive study destination.

Other countries gaining traction include Ireland, with its strong tech sector presence and two-year “stay back option” for graduates, and France, which aims to host 30,000 Indian students by 2030.

Experts call it a recalibration, not collapse

Education consultants view this trend as an evolution rather than abandonment of international education. Maria Mathai, founder of MM Advisory Services, describes it as “a recalibration, not a collapse”. She notes that “students are responding pragmatically to shifting costs and changing visa rules”.

The overall landscape shows Indian students becoming increasingly strategic in their destination choices. Whereas the Big Four accounted for over 72% of all Indian students abroad, this dominance appears to be waning. Nevertheless, international education remains appealing—the total number of Indian students studying abroad still exceeds 759,000, indicating that your educational aspirations abroad remain strong, just with more diverse destination choices.

Conclusion

Certainly, the dramatic shifts in student visa policies across traditional study destinations mark a turning point for international education. Your chances of securing visas for Canada, the US, and UK face significant challenges, with approval rates dropping by 25-40% across these countries. Meanwhile, countries like Germany and New Zealand present promising alternatives, offering quality education with fewer restrictions.

Housing pressures and infrastructure concerns have pushed major destinations to implement stricter policies. As a result, Canada’s 35% cap on study permits, along with the end of its Student Direct Stream program, has reshaped options for aspiring students. The US visa crunch, though not targeting Indian students specifically, has created substantial hurdles through limited appointment slots and processing delays.

Above all, these changes represent a strategic redistribution rather than a decline in international education opportunities. Your educational aspirations remain achievable, though they might require considering a broader range of destinations. Therefore, while traditional study destinations face unprecedented challenges, the emergence of new options ensures that your dream of studying abroad continues to be viable, albeit through different pathways.