Canada turns down most Indian student visas, citing concerns
Indian student visa applications have plunged sharply, dropping from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in 2025.
Canada, once considered a dream destination for Indian students, is now seeing a steep decline in interest as visa rejections soar to record highs. Nearly three out of every four Indian applications to study in Canadian institutions were denied in August this year, marking a significant shift in a relationship that once thrived on academic exchange and opportunity.
According to government data cited by Reuters, the rejection rate for Indian students in August 2025 stood at 74%, compared to just 32% in the same month two years ago. This steep rise comes as Canada tightens its rules on international students, a move aimed at curbing temporary migration and addressing concerns over visa fraud. But for thousands of hopeful Indian applicants, the result has been heartbreak and uncertainty.
In contrast, the overall rejection rate for study permit applications across all nationalities was around 40% in both August 2023 and August 2025. Chinese students faced a rejection rate of about 24% in August this year—less than one-third of what Indian students experienced. The numbers reflect how sharply the new restrictions have hit applicants from India, who for years formed the single largest group of international students in Canada.
The data also revealed another worrying trend: a dramatic fall in the number of Indian students even applying for study permits. In August 2023, Canada received around 20,900 applications from India. By August 2025, that number had dropped to just 4,515—a fall of nearly 80%. This suggests that fewer Indian students are even trying their luck, deterred by growing rejection rates and increasingly strict visa scrutiny.
The shift comes as Canada’s government continues to review and reform its international student program. In early 2025, Ottawa reduced the number of new international student permits issued for the second consecutive year. Officials described the move as part of a broader effort to manage population growth and ensure that post-secondary institutions are not being misused as backdoors to immigration.
In recent years, Canadian authorities have expressed concerns about fraud in student visa applications. In 2023, the immigration department revealed that more than 1,550 study permit files contained fake letters of acceptance — many traced back to fraudulent agents operating out of India. The scandal prompted a nationwide investigation and led to increased scrutiny of Indian applicants.
While the Canadian government insists that the stricter policies are necessary to maintain the integrity of its education system, the impact on legitimate students has been severe. Many academically qualified Indian students are now being denied permits, often without clear reasons. For families who had invested years of savings in their children’s study abroad dreams, the rejections have come as a painful blow.
The Indian embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the issue, noting that it was aware of the rising rejection rates. However, it clarified that the decision to issue or deny study permits lies solely within Canada’s jurisdiction.
For many years, Indian students formed the backbone of Canada’s international education system. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Indians accounted for nearly 40% of all international students in the country before the restrictions began. The close ties between the two countries, built on education and skilled migration, now seem strained under the weight of policy changes and diplomatic tensions.
Experts believe this sharp decline could have long-term implications for both sides. Canada’s universities and colleges have long relied on Indian students for revenue, diversity, and global talent. A continued drop in enrolment could hurt the education sector, which contributes billions to Canada’s economy each year.
Meanwhile, Indian students may begin exploring alternative destinations such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany—countries that are currently expanding their student intake and offering friendlier post-study work options.
For now, uncertainty looms large. As Canada prepares to enforce its new international student limits more strictly, thousands of young Indians are being forced to rethink their plans and ambitions. What was once seen as a pathway to world-class education and a brighter future now feels increasingly out of reach.