Immigration News & Updates

Canada Fee Hike for Students & Work Permit Holders: Major Impact on Punjabis

Canada increases visa and processing fees for students and work permit holders, with the biggest impact on Punjabis. Find out how this affects aspiring students and workers.

Canada Fee Hike for Students & Work Permit Holders: Major Impact on Punjabis

Canada has long been a top destination for Indian students seeking higher education, owing to its relatively affordable tuition compared to countries like the US and the UK. However, recent changes in Canada’s immigration and visa policies are causing concern among international students and workers, especially those from Punjab.

Canada Raises Fees for Visa Applications

Effective December 1, 2024, Canada will increase application and processing fees for various types of visa applications, including those for visitors, workers, and students. This change is expected to have the most significant impact on Punjabis, who make up a large portion of Canada’s international student and work permit holders. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has raised fees for temporary residents, including those seeking to restore their status, apply for criminal rehabilitation, or obtain temporary resident permits (TRPs).

Fee Increase Breakdown

Here is a list of some of the new fees for visa and permit applications:

• Visitor status restoration: CAD 229.00
• Student status restoration: CAD 379.00
• Worker status restoration: CAD 384.00
• Authorization to return to Canada: CAD 459.55
• Criminal inadmissibility based on crime: CAD 229.77
• Serious criminal inadmissibility: CAD 1,148.87
• Temporary Resident Permit: CAD 229.77

These fee hikes come at a time when thousands of Indian students, particularly from Punjab, are already burdened by the rising costs of studying abroad.

The Heavy Impact on Punjabi Youth

The fee increases are expected to hit Punjabi youth the hardest. According to immigration expert Parvinder Singh Montu, Canada is taking steps that will primarily affect young people from Punjab, a region with a high concentration of students pursuing education and employment opportunities in Canada.

Government data shows that in 2023, there were 319,130 Indian students studying in Canada. Additionally, the Canadian government issued study visas to 807,750 international students in the same year. This growing number of students will now face higher application and visa processing fees, adding more financial strain.

Already High Costs of Studying in Canada

Studying in Canada has become increasingly expensive, with tuition and living expenses reaching up to CAD 25-30 lakh annually. This new fee hike adds to the already heavy financial burden. Punjabi students, who often face difficulties in paying these costs, will now find it even harder to afford studying and living in Canada.

A Growing Challenge for Punjabi Students

The increase in fees will directly affect those who have already invested significant amounts of money to study in Canada. Visa expert Sukant points out that many students from Punjab already find it challenging to pay the fees, and the latest increase will only exacerbate their difficulties. The added pressure of securing enough funds for fees, living expenses, and the visa application itself could force some students to reconsider their plans to study abroad.

The Road Ahead

While the IRCC has yet to provide updated official fee schedules, the changes are set to take effect in December 2024. As students and workers from Punjab prepare for these adjustments, it’s essential to carefully consider the financial implications and explore alternative ways to manage the increased costs.