Canada is rejecting student visa applications at a pace not seen in years, with new data showing approval rates plunging across the board in 2025. Figures obtained by The PIE News reveal that 62 percent of all study permit requests between January and July were refused. Indian students, who make up about 40 percent of Canada’s international student population, have been hit the hardest, with four out of five applicants denied in the second quarter of the year.
The drop is striking when compared with a decade of relative stability, during which approval rates hovered around 60 percent. After Canada introduced its student permit cap in 2024, approval rates fell to 48 percent. So far this year, they stand at just 38 percent, leaving many students, families, and institutions uncertain about the future.
Education services firm ApplyBoard noted that the most common refusal ground in 2024 was officers doubting whether applicants intended to leave Canada after graduation. This rationale was cited in more than 75 percent of cases, even though officials acknowledge that some students seek Canadian work experience before returning home.
Financial concerns also played a major role. Canada more than doubled its proof-of-funds requirement from $10,000 in 2023 to $20,635 in 2024. In 53 percent of refusals, officers stated they were unconvinced applicants had sufficient financial assets or resources to cover tuition and living expenses. Other common reasons included inconsistent study plans, limited family ties outside Canada, and concerns that the purpose of visit did not align with a temporary stay.
The refusals come amid Ottawa’s wider push to limit temporary residents. For the first time, the government has set a target to reduce temporary residents to 5 percent of the population by 2027. Immigration backlogs remain a problem: as of July 31, 40 percent of all applications were delayed, including 46 percent of work visas and 23 percent of study permits.
Immigration experts say additional IRCC hiring could improve consistency, but warn processing delays may worsen before improving. “IRCC is now applying far stricter scrutiny to study permit applications,” said Jagpreet Bawa of Canfed Immigration.
Without a sharp turnaround, Canada may reach only a fraction of its international student enrollment targets in 2025. Universities and colleges reliant on international tuition now face significant financial pressure, while prospective students are beginning to explore alternatives in destinations like Germany and Australia.
