International travelers from India have been forced to take indirect routes to travel to Canada. The Canadian government has imposed a ban on direct flights from India, causing major inconveniences for potential visitors, students, workers, and immigrants. This ban was first implemented on April 22, 2021. It has been extended every month since then.
The Canadian government implemented this ban to avoid the risk of spreading the Delta Variant of the Covid-19 virus. However, the ban has failed to deter international students who continue to take indirect routes to arrive in Canada.
How Is the Flight Ban from India Affecting Canadian Immigration?
India is the top source nation for international students to Canada. According to the official statistics from the Canadian High Commission in Delhi, more than 100,000 study permits were issued to Indian students during the first 4 months of 2021.
This number has increased by almost 35.4% or 34,000 compared to the same period in 2020. The number of study permits issued in 2021 has increased even by pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, only 96,000 study permits were issued during the first 4 months, showing a 4.2% increase in 2021.
The Canadian government issued a temporary public policy to allow international students to qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) even if they complete 100% of their study program online. Therefore, it is up to international students if they want to come to Canada to attend in-person classes or take online classes.
