A 105% increase in Indian immigrants applying for Canada Immigration
The number of Indians choosing to migrate to Canada permanently has doubled since 2016. All thanks to Donald Trump’s administration that continues to introduce stringent immigration policies and drastically cut legal immigration to the US. More and more Indian skilled professionals are now considering Canada immigration as a viable option to boost their careers and raise their families.
The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) reported that the notable shift is due to Trump’s policies of reducing migration and making it difficult for people to obtain Green Cards. The report stated that in 2016, 39,705 Indians opted to become permanent resident Canada, whereas in 2019, the number grew up to 80,685. This is an increase of more than 105%, according to the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).
“It is not a coincidence that the number of Indians choosing to study in and immigrate to Canada has increased at the same time (as) it has become more difficult for Indians to work in and immigrate to the United States,” said Stuart Anderson, executive director, NFAP.
What is the reason behind this stunning rise of Indians migrating to Canada instead of the USA? It’s pretty simple- Canada needs young and talented workers and it is more welcoming towards migrants as compared to the US. It’s quite obvious to see how obtaining and renewing H1B visas have become a roller coaster ride to techies. Earlier it was considered as the most reliable pathway to immigrate to US, and ultimately get a permanent residency in the country.
Due to the low number of H1B visas getting approved, Indian born professionals do not want to wait for years to get their files reviewed and ultimately jeopardize their career while desperately chasing their American dream.
Another compelling reason for Indians applying for Canada PR visa is that many US companies have opened their offices/branches in big Canadian cities, making it easier for newcomers to realize their dream of working in some of the globally recognized companies. The Canadian government has also streamlined it work visa norms and processes for techies, unlocking the pathways for permanent residency status in Canada.
Canada’s point-based system is also ideal for Indian nationals, which gives importance to young and highly-skilled workers who are able to make effective contributions to the Canadian economy. High-level of English proficiency, education, and work experience are some of the qualifying parameters used to invite skilled professionals through Canada’s Express Entry system. Indians are talented and have better English-speaking skills as compared to Chinese people, who are unable to claim enough points for their language abilities.
Another factor contributing to Indians moving to Canada is the world-class education provided by universities and colleges in Canada. In 2017, the population of international students in Canada rose by 20%. In 2018, the enrollment rate again grew by 16%. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Indian students studying at Canadian universities increased from 76,075 in 2016 to 172,625 in 2018. This was a sharp increase of 127%. At the same time, between the 2015-16 and 2018-2019 academic years, the new enrollment rate of international students in the US universities reduced by more than 10%.
The Canadian government also make it easy for the international students to obtain work permits during and after their graduation. This also clears the path to apply for the permanent residency. The Trump administration has made crucial announcements to restrict or eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT), including STEM. Optical Practical Training permits international students in the US to work after completing their education for 12 to 24 months in a STEM related job. The administration also plans to bring in more restrictions that would ultimately make studying in America a distant dream only for thousands of aspiring international students.
To sum up, with increased restrictions on H-1B visas and international students, coupled with endless period of waiting for green cards to get approved, America seems to be an unattractive choice for Indians as compared to Canada, where high-skilled migrants are welcomed with open arms through various Canada immigration programs. Looking at the current scenario, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that situation is expected to grow worse for the US tech giants seeking ways to attract top talent across the world.