Canada’s international student visa policy is undergoing a significant shift, with a substantial increase in study permit rejections specifically impacting Indian applicants. Data indicates that Canada, once a premier educational hub for students from India, is becoming less accessible. This move aligns with broader strategies to manage temporary migration and combat fraudulent student visa activities, leading to a reduction in international student permits for the second consecutive year in early 2025.
Recent statistics reveal a stark trend: approximately 74% of Indian study permit applications submitted in August 2025 were denied. This is a dramatic rise from the roughly 32% rejection rate observed in August 2023. For context, the overall study permit rejection rate during these same periods hovered around 40%, with Chinese applications facing a 24% refusal rate in August 2025.
The decline in applications from India is equally pronounced. From 20,900 applicants in August 2023, which constituted over a quarter of all applicants at the time, the number dropped to just 4,515 in August 2025. Despite India historically being Canada’s largest source of international students, it also recorded the highest refusal rate among countries with more than 1,000 approved applicants in August 2025.
These heightened refusal rates emerge against a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India, following accusations made by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding alleged Indian government involvement in a 2023 murder. While India has consistently denied these claims, the diplomatic tension may be a contributing factor.
Canadian immigration authorities have emphasized fraud concerns as a primary driver for the increased scrutiny. In 2023 alone, nearly 1,550 study permit applications linked to fabricated letters of acceptance were identified, with a significant portion originating from India. The country’s enhanced verification systems detected over 14,000 potentially fraudulent acceptance letters across all international applicants last year.
Furthermore, the immigration department has raised the financial prerequisites for international students and implemented more rigorous verification processes to ensure the legitimacy of applications. Educational consultants highlight the need for applicants to provide more detailed financial documentation, including proof of the source of funds, to meet the enhanced eligibility criteria. Several Canadian universities have reported a considerable decrease in Indian student enrollment, with some institutions experiencing a significant drop in recent years, partly attributed to government-imposed caps on international student visas.