Stricter visa norms by Canada, Australia: Punjab's pvt colleges see surge in enrolments

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 6

Driven by stricter visa norms imposed by Canada and Australia, private colleges in Punjab are witnessing a significant increase in admissions this year. These changes have led many aspiring students to reconsider their plans of studying abroad and opt for local institutions instead.

New regulations

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Canada and Australia have tightened their visa regulations, making it more challenging for international students to secure study permits. The rules include increased financial requirements, more rigorous documentation and prolonged processing time

In recent months, Canada and Australia have tightened their visa regulations, making it more challenging for international students to secure study permits. The requirements include increased financial requirements, more rigorous documentation, and prolonged processing time. As a result, a growing number of students and their families are looking for options within India.

Private colleges in Punjab, that are benefiting from this shift, have reported a surge in applications and enrolments for various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. College administrators are attributing this trend to the new visa policies abroad, which have created uncertainty among students aspiring to study abroad.

“We have seen a noticeable increase in the number of admissions this year,” says Rajeev K Sharma, Principal, DAV College. “Many students who planned to go abroad are now choosing to stay in Punjab due to the stricter visa norms. Our college is working to accommodate the rising demand by expanding our facilities,” he says.

This year, the college received around 4,300 new admissions as compared to 3,700 last year.

Lavleen Sachdeva, Deputy Director (Public Relations) of Guru Kashi University (GKU), Talwandi Sabo, says the university is witnessing bumper admissions in almost all courses as it has got 40% more admission applications this year.

Explaining the reason for opting for local education, Jaspreet Kaur, an aspiring engineer, says, “I had planned to pursue engineering in Canada, but the new visa requirements have made it difficult for me to proceed. I decided to enroll in a reputed college in Punjab, instead. It is more convenient and cost-effective.”

Private colleges are seizing this opportunity to enhance their academic scope and infrastructure to attract and retain students. Many institutions are investing in state-of-the-art facilities, industry collaborations, and experienced faculty to provide quality education.

The trend is not only benefiting educational institutions but also contributing to the local economy. Increased enrolments have led to a higher demand for housing, transportation, and other services, creating a positive impact on various sectors in Punjab.