While nearly 14,000 asylum applications were filed by international students in the first nine months of this year, compared to 12,000 in 2023, Indian students (2,290) made up over 14% of all the claims.
Nigeria (1,990), followed by Ghana (1,385), Guinea (1,095), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (950), are the four countries with the highest numbers of international students seeking asylum, after India, according to IRCC data.
The rise in applications comes as the number of Canadian study permits processed by the IRCC is expected to drop by roughly 47% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Students from India and Nigeria, who contribute over 27% of all asylum applications, have seen an almost 50% drop in study permits issued in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023.
However, both countries remain among Canada’s biggest source nations for international students.
A total of 151,340 students from India and 21,040 students from Nigeria have been issued study permits in 2024 so far, highlighting that the volume of asylum applications aligns with the significant number of students arriving from these countries.
According to the data, students from Asia and Africa made up the largest number of asylum seekers among international students.
Countries such as Rwanda (775), Iran (630), Bangladesh (445), Cameroon (405), and Ivory Coast (385) round out the list of the ten countries with the highest numbers of asylum-seeking students.
Despite sending fewer students to Canada, many of India’s neighbouring countries are also seeing a lot of students seeking asylum in Canada.
While Pakistan and Sri Lanka made up less than 1% of all international students in Canada in the first nine months of 2024, they saw 115 and 280 students, respectively, apply for asylum during the same period.
The vast number of asylum applications among students in South Asian countries indicates the broader problems in the region concerning political instability and economic downturn.
Despite worsening diplomatic ties and rising cost of living reportedly deterring Chinese students from choosing Canada as a study destination, 50,000-60,000 Chinese students study there annually.
The data showed that some 355 Chinese students applied for asylum in Canada in 2024.
Multiple dissidents, government critics, and members of the minority communities in China have sought asylum in Canada in the past few years.
Elsewhere, the data points to smaller countries like Jordan (350), Burundi (270), Senegal (215), and Haiti (195) are seeing a relatively higher number of their nationals applying for asylum in Canada.
The presence of multiple Sub-Saharan African countries on the list has led to the region having the highest number of student asylum applicants (8,830) in Canada.
It is followed by South Asia (3,295), Middle East and North Africa (1,460), led by Iran, Jordan, and Algeria; East and Southeast Asia, led by China, Myanmar, and Vietnam; South America (295), represented by Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and Europe (135) – Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.
The data showed that five students from the US submitted applications this year.
While many issues could force international students to apply for asylum in Canada, the IRCC maintained that it would ‘not speculate’ the reasons for the claim.
“The volume of asylum applications fluctuates every month for a variety of reasons and we cannot speculate why an individual would claim asylum.”
IRCC Spokesperson
“The volume of asylum applications fluctuates every month for a variety of reasons and we cannot speculate why an individual would claim asylum,” an IRCC spokesperson told The PIE.
“Under the law, anyone seeking asylum in Canada is entitled to have the eligibility of their claim assessed. However, there is no guarantee that a claimant will be granted protection and allowed to stay in Canada.”
According to the spokesperson, all the claims are assessed based on evidence and arguments presented by the claimants, who receive a fair hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal.
“It is important to note that the number of asylum claims does not reflect the quality or thoroughness of the temporary resident visa, study permit or work permit application process,” stated the IRCC spokesperson.
“In some instances temporary residents come to Canada as genuine visitors, students or workers, and then make an asylum claim because of developments in their country of origin while in Canada.”
In recent years, some Canadian observers have cautioned that student asylum claims could rise due to stricter permanent residency rules as students look for alternative ways to remain in the country.
Recently, Canadian immigration minister Marc Miller raised concerns about students being counselled by third parties to provide false information in their asylum applications.
“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,” read a letter by Miller to College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, posted on X.
