Canada Tightens Student Visa Rules, Rejects 3 In 4 Indian Applicants

Recent policy changes in Canada have led to a drastic drop in study permits for Indian applicants, with a rejection rate soaring to 74%. This reflects growing concerns over student visa fraud and diplomatic tensions.

Canada's latest changes to international student permits is notably impacting Indian applicants. The Government data reveals a significant drop in the number of study permits issued to Indian students, once a major group in Canada.

This shift is due to Canada's efforts to manage temporary migration and address student visa fraud, CTV News reported citing Reuters.

The Immigration Department reported that 74% of study permit applications from India were rejected in August 2025. This is a stark increase from the 32% rejection rate in the same month last year. Overall, nearly 40% of all study permit applications were denied, with 24% of those from China also turned down.

Impact on Indian Students

India has been Canada's largest source of international students for over ten years. However, it now faces the highest refusal rate among countries with more than 1,000 approved applicants. The number of Indian applicants dropped sharply from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in August 2025, according to a report in ANI.

This rise in visa refusals coincides with ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in a Canadian citizen's death in Surrey, British Columbia, which India has consistently denied.

Fraudulent Applications and Verification

In 2023, Canadian authorities discovered around 1,550 fraudulent study permit applications linked to fake acceptance letters, mostly from India. Last year alone, an enhanced verification system flagged over 14,000 potentially fraudulent documents across all applications.

In response to these findings, Canada's immigration department tightened verification processes and increased financial requirements for applicants. The Indian Embassy acknowledged the increased rejection rate but stated that issuing study permits "is Canada's prerogative."

University Enrolment Decline

The University of Waterloo has experienced a two-thirds decline in Indian student enrolments over the past three to four years. Ian VanderBurgh, associate vice-president of strategic enrolment management at the university, attributed this drop to government caps on foreign student visas.

Other universities like the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan have reported similar declines. Jaspreet Singh from the International Sikh Students Association noted that earlier encouragements for newcomers to "Study, work, stay" have diminished.

Tighter Visa Rules and New Powers

Ottawa is seeking new powers to cancel groups of temporary visas over fraud concerns related to India and Bangladesh. Internal documents obtained by CBC News revealed that Immigration Canada formed a working group with US partners to detect fraudulent visa applications.

The proposed authority is part of Bill C-12 within a broader border legislation package called Bill C-2. However, this measure has alarmed over 300 civil society groups who fear it could lead to mass deportations.

Processing Delays and Legal Concerns

Enhanced verification measures have slowed processing times for temporary resident visa (TRV) applications from India. Processing times increased from an average of 30 days in July 2023 to 54 days a year later. Approvals fell as resources shifted towards fraud checks.

By July 2024, nearly 1,900 Indian applicants received procedural fairness letters outlining their rights and legal options due to further questioning flags. IRCC stated that proposed powers are not aimed at any specific group or situation and decisions would not be made unilaterally.

Bilateral Relations and Future Prospects

The developments come as Ottawa seeks improved relations with New Delhi after diplomatic strains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit during the June G7 summit signalled a thawing relationship between both countries' leaders expressing desires for rebuilding ties.

In August, new high commissioners were appointed between Canada and India capitals as part of efforts towards mending relations amid ongoing discussions about potential impacts on bilateral relations due to proposed visa powers according Global Affairs' response awaited by CBC News.

With inputs from ANI