Happiness Is a Warm Muffin
Immigration, particularly, Indian immigration to Canada has surged significantly over the past decade. Let’s look at the numbers.
In 2022, over 118,000 Indian citizens were granted permanent residency in Canada, accounting for nearly 27% of the total immigrants that year. According to the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the number of Indians immigrants rose from 32,828 to 139,715 from 2013 to 2023.
In the first seven months of 2024, India has provided 86,855 new permanent residents to Canada, the Philippines 20,645 and China 19,055. These numbers reflect the Canadian government’s action to reach its immigration goal of 485,000 permanent residents for 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.
Because India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, Indian nationals have to renounce their Indian citizenships. Although this is a dealbreaker for many, for most it isn’t. India offers the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card which allows for lifelong visa-free travel to India and grants nearly all the rights that an Indian citizen enjoys—except the political rights like voting or holding public office and purchasing agricultural land.
OCI cardholders can live in India indefinitely, pursue employment, and even own property. Launched in 2005, the OCI program reflects a modern India’s eager approach to keep growing its global presence.
