What Mark Carney’s Liberal Win Means for Indian Students & Spouse Visa Applicants

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has formed a minority government in Canada’s 2025 federal election. For Indian students and families—especially from Punjab and Haryana—this brings both opportunities and new challenges in Canada’s immigration policies.

The Liberals plan to stabilize permanent resident (PR) numbers and reduce temporary resident levels. A key change is the cap on international student permits, meaning fewer study visas will be issued each year. Indian students, who form the largest group of study permit holders, must now prepare stronger applications, including choosing recognized institutions and in-demand programs.

For married students, the situation has also shifted. The government is tightening rules on Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs)—a visa option heavily used by couples from Punjab and Haryana. Now, not all spouses will automatically qualify. Only students in specific programs or institutions may be eligible to bring their spouse on a work permit.

At the same time, the government encourages those already in Canada to transition to PR through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), rather than staying on temporary visas long-term.

On the positive side, Canada will still welcome global talent, especially in tech, healthcare, and French-speaking roles, and aims to improve application processing times.

In short, Canada remains open—but with tighter controls. For Indian students and families, especially from Punjab and Haryana, planning ahead and getting expert guidance is now more important than ever.