Canada Rejects 80% of Indian Student Visa Applications in 2025 as Rules Tighten
Sharp Decline in Canada’s Study Permit Approvals
Canada is witnessing an unprecedented wave of student visa refusals in 2025. According to fresh data obtained by The PIE News, rejection rates have surged to levels not seen in over a decade.
- Between January and July 2025, 62% of all study permit applications were refused.
- For Indian students—the largest group of international students in Canada—the picture is even worse: 80% of applications in Q2 were denied.
- Overall approval rates now stand at just 38%, down from an average of 60% during the past decade.
This marks a steep drop from 2024, when approvals had already fallen to 48% following Ottawa’s introduction of an international student cap.
Why Are Applications Being Refused?
Multiple factors are contributing to the surge in refusals:
- Immigration Intentions (75% of refusals in 2024):
- Officers increasingly question whether applicants plan to leave Canada after graduation.
- Even though many students aim for short-term work experience before returning, IRCC views this skeptically.
- Financial Proof (53% of refusals):
- Canada more than doubled the financial requirement for proof of funds from $10,000 in 2023 to $20,635 in 2024.
- Many applicants failed to demonstrate sufficient resources for tuition and living costs.
- Other Common Reasons:
- Study plans deemed inconsistent or weak.
- Limited family or economic ties outside Canada.
- Concerns that the stated “purpose of visit” did not align with a temporary stay.
Policy Context: Canada’s Push to Limit Temporary Residents
- Ottawa has introduced a national target to bring down the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s population by 2027.
- IRCC is applying stricter scrutiny across all application categories.
- As of July 31, 2025:
- 40% of all applications remain backlogged.
- 46% of work permits are delayed.
- 23% of study permits are delayed.
Immigration professionals warn that while IRCC is hiring additional staff, processing delays could worsen before improving.
Impact on Students and Institutions
- Students & Families: Thousands of hopefuls face uncertainty, with many considering alternate destinations such as Germany, Australia, and the UK.
- Universities & Colleges: Institutions reliant on high-paying international tuition fees are under serious financial strain.
- Canada’s Global Reputation: If the trend continues, Canada may enroll far fewer international students in 2025, jeopardizing its long-standing position as a top global education hub.
Data Overview
| Year | Average Approval Rate | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–2023 (avg) | ~60% | Stable decade of approvals |
| 2024 | 48% | Student cap introduced; financial proof doubled |
| 2025 (Jan–July) | 38% | Historic low |
| 2025 (Q2 – India) | 20% approval (80% refused) | Most severely impacted group |
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