Indian Student Faces PR Challenges in Canada
An Indian man living in Canada for nine years is now planning to return home, citing difficulties in obtaining permanent residency. His experience highlights growing concerns over Canada’s permanent residency rules and visa challenges affecting international students.
Sharing his story on Reddit, he wrote: “I will be moving back from Canada to India in November. After spending 9 years in Canada, I have failed to get PR because of the new immigration rule.”
Nine Years in Canada: Work, Study, and Debt
The man detailed his Canadian journey, noting six years in university, one year unemployed, and two years employed. He completed a Mechanical Engineering with Management co-op program and worked as a junior data analyst.
Despite his professional experience, he also carries student debt and now faces the added complication of his American girlfriend, raising questions about moving back together. He sought advice from Reddit users about settling in India’s first-tier versus third-tier cities.
Online Debate Sparks on Permanent Residency
The post ignited heated discussion online. Users questioned how someone could live nine years in Canada without securing PR. One commenter noted, “There are plenty of people who lived in Canada for 9 or even 10+ years and didn’t get PR. Points systems and visa rules often block them.”
Others emphasized the challenges of returning to India: “If you couldn’t survive here, you need to hustle 10x more in India. You have to be super street-smart.” Some offered city-specific suggestions like Pune or Ahmedabad for affordability and job opportunities.
The original poster clarified: “Who said I couldn’t survive in Canada? I have debt from my studies and I’ve been paying it back monthly.”
Canada’s New Visa Rules Affect Indian Students
Policy changes introduced in May 2025 have intensified challenges. The IRCC update removed legal status protection for temporary residents submitting a second application to extend their stay. Zubin Morris of Little & Co explained, “If the initial application is refused, any second application—even if submitted in advance—will not be considered.”
Additionally, Canada reduced its temporary resident population by 5%, from 485,000 to 430,000, further limiting opportunities for international students.
Impact on Overseas Indian Population
Canada remains a top destination for Indian students and professionals. As of March 2025, over 2.87 million overseas Indians resided in Canada. However, IRCC data shows study permits for 2024 dropped 48% from 2023, falling short of targets by roughly 100,000.
The IRCC recently opened applications for permanent residency under the French language Express Entry draw, allowing 2,500 individuals to apply. Yet, the policy shift continues to affect thousands of international students and workers seeking long-term opportunities in Canada.
Moving Forward
This Reddit account underscores how immigration policies, visa regulations, and PR challenges shape international students’ decisions. For many, the dream of staying in Canada is now being reconsidered.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest updates on immigration, international student news, and permanent residency developments in Canada.
