India tops the list of students seeking asylum; minister questions applications

Nearly 14,000 international students in Canada have sought asylum in the first nine months of 2024, setting a record even as the number of new study permits issued during the same period significantly fell.

In 2024, up until August, 137,445 Indian students were issued study permits out of 374,060 international students, making up 36.7% of the cohort. (Representative image)

Days after terminating its popular fast-track visa programme for international students from 14 countries, including India, Canada’s immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed concern over a growing number of international students claiming asylum and said “some students appear to have been advised to file asylum claims soon after their arrival in Canada”.

“Canada is dedicated to aiding individuals in need of protection. However, counselling asylum seekers to misrepresent themselves to remain in Canada or seek permanent residence would be contrary to the objectives of Canada’s immigration system,” he wrote in a letter to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) President and Chief Executive Officer John Murray Thursday, a copy of which was posted on X on Thursday.

Nearly 14,000 international students in Canada have sought asylum in the first nine months of 2024, setting a record even as the number of new study permits issued during the same period significantly fell.

Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that the top source countries for these asylum claims include India, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. India is Canada’s largest source country of foreign students with an estimated 4.27 lakh Indian students studying there in 2023.

The jump in the number of asylum seekers from 13,000 in August-end to 14,000 in September-end as per statistics, coincides with the recent restrictions and caps imposed by the Canadian government on international students.

Miller attributed the surge in asylum applications partly to false claims allegedly encouraged by unscrupulous immigration consultants. Citing anecdotal evidence from departmental officials, he noted that conditions in the source countries have not changed significantly, suggesting external advice as a key driver.

“Some students appear to have been advised to file asylum claims soon after their arrival in Canada,” Miller said. “We often see these claims filed within the first year, sometimes for less valid reasons, such as lowering tuition fees to domestic rates. There’s opportunism at play, and it’s being exploited.”

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Miller has requested the CICC to investigate licensed consultants who might be improperly advising international students to pursue asylum claims.

As per IRCC data, Canadian news outlet The Globe and Mail reported that international students filed 13,660 asylum claims between January 1 and September 30, 2024, surpassing around 12,000 claims made through 2023 but less than 1,810 claims in 2018. With three months of data yet to be tallied, the numbers in 2024 are expected to rise.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

Divya A

Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More

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