Canada’s Student Visa Rejection Rate for Indians Soars to 74% Amid Crackdown on Fraud and New Restrictions
Summary of Key Trends:
Skyrocketing Rejections: Nearly three out of every four study permit applications from Indian students (approximately 74%) were rejected in August 2025. This is a dramatic increase from the 32% rejection rate recorded in August 2023.
Declining Interest: Applications from India have sharply fallen, dropping from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in August 2025, signaling a loss of appeal for what was a top destination.
The Main Drivers: The steep rise in refusals is largely attributed to Canada’s stricter policies aimed at controlling temporary migration and addressing widespread student visa fraud, particularly cases involving fake college acceptance letters, many of which originated in India. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries have also contributed to the climate of scrutiny.
Targeted Impact: The government’s restrictions have disproportionately affected Indian applicants, who now face the highest refusal rate among major source countries.
📉 Canadian Dream Fades: Student Visa Applications from India Plunge as 74% Are Rejected
Summary:
Once a primary destination for Indian students, Canada is now seeing a significantdecline in its appeal, marked by a plummeting application rate and a record-high rejection percentage.
In August 2025, approximately 74% of Indian applications for Canadian study permits were denied—a massive jump from the 32% refusal rate in August 2023. Simultaneously, the number of Indian students applying for permits has fallen sharply, from 20,900 to just 4,515 in the same two-year period (August 2023 to August 2025). This policy shift is the result of new government restrictions designed to curb temporary migration and clamp down on fraudulent visa applications that often involve forged documents.
The steep rise in rejections (nearly 75% of Indian study permit applications in August 2025) is primarily due to a multi-pronged effort by the Canadian government to control its temporary resident population and combat systemic fraud.
Key Factors Driving the High Rejection Rate:
Crackdown on Fraud: The single biggest reason is the government’s intense scrutiny following major scandals involving fake college acceptance letters from India. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now rigorouslyverifying documents, leading to mass refusals for applications suspected of using forged credentials.
Tighter Temporary Resident Caps: Canada is intentionally slowing down the overall influx of temporary residents, including students, to ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. This national policy shift leads to stricter application reviews across the board.
Proof of Funds and Intent: Visa officers are increasingly demanding stronger evidence of an applicant’s financial ability to support themselves and their genuine intent to return home after their studies. Applicants who propose enrolling in programs that don’t clearly align with their previous education or career goals often face rejection.
Geopolitical Climate: Underlying diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have also contributed to a climate of heightened scrutiny and caution by Canadian visa processing centers concerning applications originating from India.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Data, The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Business Today,Reuters News Agency, etc.) transparently.]
