Indian Student Visa Rejections in Canada Surge to Record 74%

In a dramatic shift that has sent shockwaves through India’s education community, Indian Student Visa Rejections in Canada have hit an unprecedented 74% in August 2025 — more than double last year’s figures, according to data from Canada’s immigration department reported by Reuters.

The figures show a steep climb from just 32% in August 2023 to nearly three out of every four applications denied this year. Meanwhile, the global average rejection rate held steady at around 40%, with Chinese applicants seeing a far lower rate of 24%. The sharp decline in approvals also coincides with a massive drop in Indian applications, plunging from nearly 20,900 to just over 4,500 during the same period.

India, long celebrated as Canada’s largest source of international students, has now found itself at the center of an immigration tightening storm. With rejection rates higher than any other country with over 1,000 approved applicants, experts are calling it the most significant visa clampdown in recent memory.

Indian Student Visa Rejections: Visa Clampdown and Strained Diplomatic Ties

The surge in denials comes as Canada continues its sweeping effort to tighten controls on international student permits for a second straight year. Ottawa claims the initiative is meant to curb fraud, manage housing shortages, and reduce temporary migration pressures.

However, the timing has sparked speculation about deeper geopolitical undertones. Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been fragile since 2023, when then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged possible Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — allegations New Delhi firmly dismissed as “absurd” and politically motivated.

Amid this backdrop, many observers believe that immigration policy has become an indirect casualty of diplomatic friction, further complicating Canada’s reputation as an open destination for global talent.

Fraud Concerns Spark Stricter Screening

Canadian immigration authorities have cited rampant document fraud as a major reason behind the tougher stance. In 2023, officials discovered nearly 1,550 fake admission letters linked to Indian students. By 2024, that number skyrocketed to more than 14,000 potentially fraudulent acceptance letters across all applicants.

In response, the government introduced enhanced verification systems, increased financial proof requirements, and added new layers of scrutiny to every application.
“Applicants must now go beyond paperwork,” said Michael Pietrocarlo, co-founder of Border Pass, a Canadian visa advisory firm. “It’s not enough to show bank statements — they need to prove where the money came from, how it’s maintained, and its legitimacy.”

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa acknowledged the growing number of rejections but maintained that issuing study permits remains a sovereign decision of the Canadian government.
“Some of the best global talent comes from India,” the Commission stated, emphasizing that Canadian universities have long benefited from the academic excellence of Indian students.

Indian Student Visa Rejections: Impact on Canadian Universities

The effects of the Indian Student Visa Rejections in Canada are being felt across campuses nationwide.

At the University of Waterloo, home to Canada’s largest engineering school, the number of Indian students enrolling in undergraduate and graduate programs has dropped by nearly two-thirds over the past four years. “We pride ourselves on being an international university,” said Ian VanderBurgh, Associate Vice-President for Strategic Enrolment Management. “But the government’s cap on student visas has significantly changed our classroom demographics.”

Other institutions, including the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan, have also reported notable declines in student numbers from India. This shift is expected to impact not only diversity but also the financial sustainability of smaller institutions, which rely heavily on international student tuition.

Changing Aspirations and Perceptions

The once-celebrated “Study, Work, Stay” narrative that drew tens of thousands of Indian students to Canada now appears to be fading. Jaspreet Singh, founder of the International Sikh Students Association, who arrived in Canada in 2015, said many young Indians no longer see Canada as the automatic path to success.
“As it becomes harder to secure permanent residency or stable employment, some students feel relieved their visas were denied,” he said. “They’re happy they didn’t come — the dream has become more complicated than ever.”

Balancing Integrity and Opportunity

During her visit to India in October 2025, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand assured that her government aims to preserve educational opportunities for Indian students but also underlined the importance of protecting the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

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