Canada was the dream destination. Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, post-study work permits — for half a decade, it felt like Canada was actively recruiting the world’s skilled workers, and Malayalis responded in huge numbers. Families sold property, took loans, and uprooted lives for the promise of permanent residency in a country with universal healthcare and a clean environment.
Then the rules changed. And they kept changing.
In 2025 and into 2026, Canada tightened international student visa approvals, reduced post-graduation work permit eligibility, and signalled a shift toward prioritising applicants with Canadian work experience over those applying from abroad. The changes are not aimed at Malayalis specifically, but they affect the Kerala-to-Canada pipeline significantly.
The students feel it most. Families who invested Rs 25-40 lakh in Canadian college tuition are now uncertain whether their children will secure the post-study work experience needed for permanent residency. Some colleges that heavily recruited Indian students have seen enrolment drops of 40% or more.
For those already in Canada with PR or citizenship, the picture is different and largely positive. The Malayali community in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary is well-established, with active associations, cultural programmes, and professional networks. Employment prospects for skilled healthcare, IT, and trades workers remain strong.
The advice for families considering Canada: do not make the decision based on information from 2022 or 2023. The landscape has changed. Research current visa categories, verify college accreditation through the designated learning institution list, and have a realistic financial plan that accounts for the possibility of returning to India if things do not work out. Hope is not a strategy.