A significant surge in Canadian study permit rejections is now affecting Indian students, who have historically favored Canada for its educational excellence and career prospects. The once welcoming environment for international scholars appears to be changing, with a growing number of Indian applicants encountering visa denials. This development raises questions about future accessibility for Indian students to Canadian higher education.
For more than ten years, India has been the leading country of origin for international students in Canada. However, current data highlights a concerning trend: Canada’s study permit refusal rate for Indian applicants is now the highest among nations with substantial application volumes. This statistic, cited by news outlets referencing government data, signals a critical juncture for student mobility.
Embassy officials in Ottawa are aware of the heightened rejection rates and have noted that study permit decisions are Canada’s sovereign authority. This position is being conveyed as Canada actively works to control temporary immigration levels and address issues of student visa integrity. These policy adjustments are directly impacting the approval of study permits.
The numbers paint a stark picture: in August 2025, an overwhelming 74% of study permit applications from India were refused. This is a substantial leap from the 32% refusal rate observed in the same month the previous year. Across all nationalities, the overall refusal rate for study permits stood at nearly 40%, with Chinese applicants also facing considerable rejections at 24%.
Furthermore, the volume of Indian applicants has plummeted. From 20,900 in August 2023, the number of Indian applicants seeking admission to Canadian institutions fell dramatically to 4,515 by August 2025. This sharp reduction indicates a significant deterrent effect from the current visa policies.
These stricter visa measures are being implemented amidst ongoing diplomatic dialogues between the two nations. However, Canadian authorities emphasize that the enhanced scrutiny is aimed at curbing fraudulent applications, particularly those involving fake acceptance letters. Over 1,500 such fraudulent applications were identified in 2023, with increased verification processes now in effect, alongside a higher financial proof threshold for applicants.