Immigration Minister Pivots Away from Indian Students

In a notable policy shift, the Canadian government has urged universities to diversify their recruitment of international students, moving away from an over-reliance on a single source country, India. This directive stems from concerns over housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and recent immigration reforms. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has emphasized the need for a broader mix of students, sparking debate among educational institutions and immigration stakeholders. For students, universities, and legal professionals in immigration law, this development carries significant implications for compliance, visa processes, and future opportunities.

Why the Shift?

Canada has long been a magnet for international students, with India historically dominating as the top source country. In 2023, Indian students comprised roughly 41% of Canada’s international student population, followed by China (10%) and the Philippines (5%). However, this concentration has prompted the government to push for diversification to ease pressures on housing and public services—issues tied to rapid population growth from student inflows. Miller has called on universities to stop “constantly going back to the well” of one or two countries, advocating for a more balanced recruitment strategy.

This push aligns with Canada’s recent immigration adjustments, including a cap on international student permits set at 437,000 for 2025—a 10% reduction from 2024 levels—with plans for further decreases in 2026. Critics within the education sector argue that systemic barriers, such as slow visa processing and high refusal rates in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, hinder diversification efforts. As Miller himself noted, Indian students remain among “the best and brightest,” but the government seeks a broader global talent pool to support long-term sustainability.

Legal Implications for Universities and Students

For universities, this directive introduces compliance challenges under Canada’s International Education Strategy and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Institutions may face increased scrutiny from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure recruitment aligns with federal goals. Failure to diversify could jeopardize their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) status, essential for hosting international students. Legal advisors may need to assist universities in auditing recruitment practices and navigating potential IRCC audits.

Students, particularly from India, could encounter stiffer competition for study permits under the capped system. Visa applications will likely require stronger evidence of academic merit and alignment with Canada’s labor market needs—criteria that are gaining weight in IRCC assessments. Immigration lawyers will play a critical role in crafting applications that stand out amid rising refusal rates and processing delays, which stakeholders like York University’s Vinitha Gengatharan have flagged as persistent obstacles to diversification.

Moreover, the sector has criticized the government for not addressing systemic issues, such as lengthy visa processing times—among the longest of the top 10 study destinations—and automated decision-making tools that reject qualified applicants. As Isaac Garcia-Sitton of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) noted, “You can’t ask institutions to diversify while the ground keeps shifting beneath them.” Legal counsel may need to advocate for students caught in these inefficiencies, potentially challenging refusals through judicial review.

with notes from The PIE News article titled “‘Fix the system’: Canada reacts to minister’s diversification call” (published February 20, 2025)

https://thepienews.com/diversification-canada-immigration-minister-miller