Visa Hurdles Mount for Indian Students in Canada, US

Indian student applications to the US dropped 15 percent after new visa rules took effect, while Canada's cap on study permits and higher rejection rates have compounded the challenges. These measures follow stricter limits on housing and work hours for international students.

In Canada, about 1,000 former Indian students protested in Calgary and Edmonton after their post-graduation work permits were denied. The demonstrations come after a period of explosive growth that saw the international student population nearly double to over 1 million by 2023, with half coming from India.

In the US, 30 senators have urged the State Department to address delays in F, M, and J visa processing ahead of the academic year. They warned that backlogs could jeopardize the nearly $43 billion economic contribution from international students.

The dual squeeze reflects tighter immigration pathways for Indian students, who have long been a major source of talent and revenue for both countries.