Nigerian, Indian students among top asylum seekers in Canada

Nigerian and Indian students are among the largest groups of international students seeking asylum in Canada, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The data revealed that, between January and September 2024, 2,290 Indian students accounted for 14% of the 14,000 asylum applications filed during the period. Nigerians ranked second, with 1,990 asylum requests. Other countries in the top ten included Ghana (1,385 applicants), Guinea (1,095), the Democratic Republic of Congo (950), Rwanda (775), Iran (630), Bangladesh (445), Cameroon (405), and Ivory Coast (385).

In addition, the data showed a sharp decline in study permits issued to students from India and Nigeria in Q3 2024, with both nations seeing a 50% drop compared to the same period in 2023. This comes as Canada introduces stricter immigration policies to manage the high influx of international students.

As of 2024, 21,040 Nigerian students and 151,340 Indian students have been granted study permits, indicating the significant numbers of individuals from both countries seeking education and opportunities in Canada.

In light of rising immigration numbers, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, clarified that obtaining a study permit does not guarantee permanent residency. Miller emphasized that international students will not have their work permits automatically extended and stressed the need for immigration reductions to manage the country’s population and prevent undue strain on its economy.

“When people came here as students, it wasn’t a guarantee to become a permanent resident,” Miller said, underscoring the government’s efforts to balance immigration with economic stability.

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