Why do so many immigrants to Canada come from India? A look at the programs they use
The short answer
In 2025 Canada admitted about 393,000 new permanent residents. About 98,800 of them were citizens of India. That is one in four, and almost four times the next country, the Philippines (about 25,200).
India has been the largest source country for years. The numbers below come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) open data, published every month.
How the number grew
| Year | New permanent residents from India |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 39,250 |
| 2019 | 85,555 |
| 2021 | 127,910 |
| 2023 | 139,705 (the highest year) |
| 2024 | 127,340 |
| 2025 | 98,765 |
| 2026 (January to August) | 61,315 |
IRCC rounds these figures, so totals in different tables can differ by a few dozen.
Which programs they used in 2025
| Program | Citizens of India | Share of everyone in that program |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 32,785 | 39% |
| Canadian Experience Class | 27,355 | 57% |
| Sponsored spouses and partners | 18,985 | 30% |
| Sponsored parents and grandparents | 9,690 | 42% |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 2,320 | 49% |
| Rural and northern community programs | 1,955 | 54% |
| Skilled Worker category | 1,625 | 2% |
| Caregivers | 1,515 | 28% |
Two programs stand out. More than half of everyone who became a permanent resident through the Canadian Experience Class was a citizen of India. And close to four in ten provincial nominees were too.
The real story: most of them were already in Canada
Both of those programs reward experience gained inside Canada. The Canadian Experience Class is for people who already worked in Canada. Many provincial streams also look for people who studied or worked in that province.
The data shows a clear change of route:
- In 2019, the biggest program for Indian citizens was the Skilled Worker category, with about 34,600 people. That route does not require any Canadian experience.
- In 2025, the same category had only about 1,600. The Provincial Nominee Program and the Canadian Experience Class together had about 60,000.
So the typical path moved from "apply from abroad" to "come first as a student or worker, then stay".
Students came first
The study permit numbers explain where that pool of people came from. These are study permits that took effect each year, for citizens of India:
| Year | Study permits (India) | Share of all study permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 32,500 | 14% |
| 2019 | 140,340 | 34% |
| 2023 | 283,665 | 41% |
| 2025 | 98,945 | 25% |
India passed China as the largest source of international students in 2018. Graduates of eligible programs can get a post-graduation work permit, gain Canadian work experience, and then qualify for the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial stream. Both numbers rose sharply between 2015 and 2023, the same years the in-Canada programs became the main route.
Then families followed
Once people settle, they sponsor their families. In 2025, citizens of India were 30% of all sponsored spouses and partners and 42% of all sponsored parents and grandparents.
Other reasons that are often given
These are not measured in the tables above, but they help explain the pattern:
- Population. India is the world's most populous country, so even a small share of people moving abroad is a large number.
- English. English is widely used in Indian universities and workplaces. Express Entry and most provincial streams require an approved language test, and strong English scores add points.
- Networks. Large Indian communities in cities such as Brampton, Surrey and Toronto make it easier for the next person to find housing, jobs and advice.
Why the numbers are falling now
New permanent residents from India dropped from about 139,700 in 2023 to about 98,800 in 2025. Two policy changes happened over the same period:
- In 2024 the federal government limited the number of new study permits. Study permits for citizens of India fell by about two thirds between 2023 and 2025.
- Canada lowered its overall targets for new permanent residents, so every source country has fewer places.
Because fewer students arrived in 2024 and 2025, it is likely that fewer people will be ready for in-Canada programs in the next few years. That is an expectation, not an official forecast.
What this means for you
- The Canadian Experience Class and provincial streams remain the busiest routes, but they need Canadian work experience first.
- Express Entry now runs many category-based draws (for example French speakers or trades). Check the latest rounds before you plan.
- Rules and targets change. Always read the official IRCC page for the program before you apply.
About this article
This article was written by SK for Newcomer Board with the help of AI tools, and every number was checked against the IRCC open data files listed at the top of this page on 30 October 2026. IRCC rounds its open data and hides very small numbers, so totals may not add up exactly. This is general information, not legal advice.