CANADA A POPULAR DESTINATION
The most popular destination for residents of Punjab has always been Canada, according to the visa consultants and English language coaching centres that line the streets of big Punjab cities like Jalandhar.
According to media reports, 136,000 students from Punjab went to Canada last year, based on figures derived from the number of visas approved by Canada under the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) scheme.
India was the largest source of international students entering Canada last year, four times more than the second largest group, the Chinese.
INDUSTRY COULD BE “SHAKEN TO ITS CORE”
ESS Global, one of many visa consulting services in Punjab, specialises in securing Canadian student visas.
“Canada fits the bill in many ways. The English language test score requirements are low, spouses are allowed to travel on student visas, and the paperwork required is minimal too,” said the firm’s regional manager Vikramjit Singh.
He added that the firm receives 800 to 1,000 applications a month.
However, things are beginning to get complicated with Canada warning that Indians could face longer visa processing times.
While Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa is not escalating tensions, businesses said if ties do worsen, India’s US$1.4 billion visa consulting industry could be in trouble.
Mr Singh noted that 60 to 70 per cent of its clients want to go to Canada, while the remaining opt for the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.
”This whole industry will be shaken to its core if our relations worsen,” he said.