For Canadian residency dreamers and Indian students, the path just got steeper. The study permits may not just fund huge amounts but also double their proof-of-funds by January 2024, raising issues about accessibility and return on investment.

This sudden jump from $10,000 to $20,635 adds a Rs 6 lakh wholesome extra burden on families already facing loan pressures. Many fear it will deter students and, thus, disproportionately impact lower-income families.

This adjustment is explained by the Canadian government as a mark of the rising cost of living, though critics feel it does not consider the hard-to-come-by jobs and ever-increasing rental fees and school dues. This therefore leaves the students to wonder just how much of a benefit studying abroad will be for them in actual reality.

It only worsens Canada's current housing crisis, with a number of students ending up living in congested surroundings with unscrupulous landlords. Some relief will come with the government response, like an extended off-campus work hour waiver, encouraging institutions to provide enough support, but it offers solutions that won't be helpful for long periods.

Henceforth, an enigma for Indian students in Canada post-pandemic The "Canadian dream" is now costlier than ever, and whether it will be achievable for all or not is yet to be seen.