IELTS centres in Bathinda close biz after changes in Canada's immigration policies
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Bathinda: As the changes in immigration policies by the Canadian govt have seriously affected student visas and
post-graduate work permits
(PGWP), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) centres here are shutting down. Many involved in the business due to the heavy rush of youths aiming to visit Canada are now turning towards other ventures, as the immigration business is no longer lucrative.
The trend can be gauged from the fact that the Bathinda district administration cancelled the licences of six such centres upon the written requests of the centre owners, even though the licences were valid until as late as 2028.
The licences were cancelled under Section 8(1) of the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act, 2013, which outlines the procedure for surrendering a travel agent's licence. It states that a licensed travel agent can surrender their licence by giving two months' notice to the competent authority. Once the notice period expires, the licence is automatically cancelled.
When there was a rush of students to Canada, such centres mushroomed in every nook and corner of even small towns. They had even appeared in villages. Bathinda, after Jalandhar and Moga, was considered a hub for such centres, and students from far-off places used to visit Bathinda daily to receive coaching. Even the PGs mushroomed in hundreds. However, after the changes in immigration policies, a lot changed, and centres have started closing down, affecting many ancillary businesses.
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Bathinda deputy commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray said the owners of six centres applied for the cancellation of licences under the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act.
E-School, run by Rupinder Singh, had an IELTS licence until Dec 14, 2027. Language Seekers, run by Amandeep Singh, had an IELTS licence until April 12, 2028.
Likewise, Sky Feather had an IELTS licence until Nov 10, 2027. EFS Global had a licence for consultancy and IELTS until July 1, 2026.
Sky Dreams had an IELTS licence until Oct 9, 2027. The Leaf IELTS and Immigration had a licence for consultancy, IELTS, and ticketing until Sept 2, 2028.
The operators stated that they closed their respective centres and wanted to exit the business, requesting the cancellation of their licences. While their licences have been cancelled, the centre operators are liable to address the complaints, if any, against them.
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