Canada Cuts 80% of Study Visas for Indian Students, What’s Happening?

After the US, Canada also is closing its doors to international immigrants. Though once considered a welcoming destination for international education, fresh data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that nearly 62 per cent of student visa applications were reportedly refused in 2025, which is above the 52 per cent registered last year and 40 per cent average recorded in earlier years.

The IRCC records reveal the rejection rates are now at the highest in a decade. Reportedly, 80 per cent of the Indians’ applications have been rejected. Though a full country-wise breakdown of the rejections has not been made public yet, education outlet Pie News reported that the scale of rejection could ripple through Asia, Africa, and beyond. These facts should help students across the world know how Canada is reshaping its approach to overseas education.

Last year, Canada hosted more than one million international students, the second largest cohort after the US. Of these, 41 per cent were from India, 12 per cent from China, according to VnExpress.

Why Denials Are Increasing?

Let us try to know why the rejections have been increasing. Immigration experts trace the surge in refusals to domestic concerns ranging from housing shortages to doubts over financial sustenance of the immigrant students.

Further, in December, Ottawa doubled the minimum financial proof requirement to CA$20,635 ($14,963). Clear study plans and error-free documentation has also been made mandatory for the students.

Canada Goes for Tougher Conditions

In 2025, Canada plans to issue 4,37,000 study permits, which is nearly 10 per cent less than last year. VnExpress representatives said that of this, 73,000 are reserved for postgraduate students, 2,43,000 for undergraduates and other programmes, and 1,20,000 for school-age children and renewals.

Rules for post-graduation work permits are also being made tough. Henceforth, University graduates must present English or French language test results at B2 level or above while college graduates should show at B1 level qualification. Students moving to unapproved programmes will no longer qualify for post-study work permits and The Student Direct Stream, which once provided faster visas without financial proof for students from 14 countries, has been closed.

Reducing Numbers

It is worth noting that Canada has been gradually lowering the study permits since 2024. In 2024, Cananda granted 2,67,890 new study permits, almost 1,00,000 less than its official IRCC target and also a 48 per cent drop from 2023. The cap on international students has been reduced by another 10 per cent this year.

As of June 30, 2025, there are 5,46,562 people in Canada on a study permit and while 3,12,010 have both work and study permits.

The shift in Canada’s approach would lead to financial and emotional strain on aspiring students.