Punjab: Despite rising costs and strict immigration policies, Indian students continue to choose Canada as a top destination for higher education. Speaking to The Tribune, University Living CEO Saurabh Arora said that according to Living’s Indian Student Mobility Report (ISMR) for 2023-24, Indian students collectively spent $11.7 billion to pursue higher education in Canada during the last academic year, with Punjab alone contributing $3.7 billion. He said the ISMR report shows Punjab, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana as the top contributors to India’s international student population, followed by Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. After Canada, other top destinations for Indian students are the USA, Australia and the UK.
The report also highlights that total spending by Indian students on international education is projected to grow from $37 billion in 2019 to $60 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $70 billion by 2025. The number of Indian students studying abroad is expected to grow from 11.8 lakh in 2022 to 15 lakh by 2025, an annual growth rate of 8 per cent. Immigration experts say Canada remains a preferred destination due to its strong academic programmes, post-study work opportunities and immigration pathways. They said that though Indian student enrolment in Canada is expected to grow from 2.80 lakh in 2022 to 3.49 lakh by 2025, it remains to be seen how these numbers shape up in the coming session after the recent restrictions. On an average, each Indian student spends about $27,000 on tuition fees alone and when accommodation and living expenses are added, the total expenditure reaches about $40,000. This means that Punjab’s contribution, which was initially reported at $3.7 billion, could realistically be closer to $7 billion annually. Arora further said that Canada’s restrictions on study permits were part of a broader effort to control the growing number of students, while also enhancing the quality of education and ensuring adequate facilities such as housing and job placement after graduation. He stressed that for Punjabi students, Canada has long been seen as not only a place for academic pursuits, but also a gateway for settlement. Arora further explained that although these new policies have caused concern, especially in Punjab, they are unlikely to significantly reduce Canada’s long-term appeal. “For students from Punjab, where education abroad is often linked to future settlement opportunities, recent policy changes may slow student inflows in the short term. But the fundamentals – strong academic programs, work opportunities and pathways to immigration – still make Canada an extremely attractive destination,” he said. Sumit Jain, owner of Jain Overseas in Jalandhar, said that although Canada remains the most sought-after destination, the new immigration restrictions have created uncertainty among Punjabi students, leading to a drop in applications for 2024 admissions. “We are seeing fewer applications for the upcoming admissions as students are considering other options due to the new rules,” he said. Sachin Jain, country manager, ETS India and South Asia, also reiterated similar sentiments, but highlighted that opportunities in Canada are abundant for students with strong academic records. “Even with the revised student cap of 4.37 lakh by 2025, Canada still offers ample space for qualified international students, especially those with high language proficiency and academic credentials,” he said. He added that while other destinations such as New Zealand, Germany, France and Ireland are becoming increasingly attractive, especially for STEM and management programmes, the demand for studying abroad remains high. Meanwhile, the HSBC Quality of Life Report 2024 also showed that 78 per cent of affluent Indian parents aim to send their children abroad for higher education, even though there are financial challenges in preparing for this investment.
Workforce exodus will impact state’s future
“Punjab is witnessing an alarming trend of students moving abroad, which could undermine the state’s economic stability in the coming years,” said Dr Vishal Sareen, professor of economics at LPU. He highlighted that families are often selling agricultural land for foreign education, with many students preferring long-term settlement abroad over education. Sareen stressed that this continued exodus of skilled workers is a threat to Punjab’s future workforce.
