Canadian province tightens immigration rules, Indian students face uncertainty
The burden on the housing and healthcare infrastructure in Prince Edward Island prompted the policy shift, which includes a 25% cut in immigration permits.
Prince Edward Island (PEI), a Canadian province renowned for its scenic landscapes and peaceful lifestyle, has unexpectedly announced a major reduction in Immigration Rules, which will primarily affect the Indian student community.
Impact of Immigration Rules on Indian Students in Prince Edward Island
This announcement has prompted widespread anxiety and demonstrations. Hundreds of Indian students now face the possibility of deportation as a result of this decision, casting doubt on the province’s immigration laws and their effects on foreign relations.
The burden on the housing and healthcare infrastructure in Prince Edward Island prompted the policy shift, which includes a 25% cut in immigration permits. There has been a significant increase in immigration to the province, particularly among Indian students. The province’s capacity to offer its current citizens proper healthcare support has been put to the test by this surge.
The impacted student body has responded angrily to the policy change since it was just announced. Numerous students are uncertain about their future in Canada as a result of the abrupt modifications. The bulk of these students are enrolled in courses that do not qualify as “essential services,” so under the current regulations, they are not eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). There is a diplomatic scramble to handle the matter as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said that they were unaware of the forthcoming changes.
One of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories is Prince Edward Island (PEI). In terms of population and land area, Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, but it has the highest population density. International students are drawn to the island’s educational system, with a significant proportion coming from India.
There were 401 Indian immigrants in PEI in 2018–19, a sharp rise from the 16 who arrived in 2014–15, among them students. Over 2,000 foreign students from more than 90 countries enrol at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) each year, making up approximately 35% of the total student body. Based on the data from UPEI, which shows that 35% of students are international, and assuming that there are 5,714 total students (2,000 of whom makeup 35% of the international student population), the number of Indian students (assuming they still comprise 42% of the international student body) would be roughly 840.
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