Canada’s refusal rate for study permit applications has soared to its highest level in over a decade, with nearly 62% of applicants turned down by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from January to July this year. This marks a sharp decline from previous years when approval rates hovered around 60%, plunging to only 38% so far in 2025, down from 48% in 2024 after the introduction of study permit caps.
Indian students, who make up about 40% of Canada’s international student body, have been hit the hardest. In the second quarter of 2025, four out of five Indian student applicants faced rejection. While a modest rise in approval rates was noted earlier this spring, experts warn that without significant improvements, Canada will fall far short of its international student enrollment targets for the year.
The most common reason for refusal cited by IRCC officers in 2024, accounting for over 75% of cases, was the concern that students would not leave Canada after completing their studies. This points to a perception that many applicants use study permits as a pathway to permanent residency rather than just education. Financial concerns also played a big role, especially after Canada hiked its proof-of-funds requirement from $10,000 in 2023 to over $20,600 in 2024. Over half of the refusals involved doubts about applicants’ financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses, as well as their intent to leave Canada at the end of their stay.
The refusal rate increase comes amid an overall crackdown on immigration, with Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan targeting a reduction in temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2027. Other categories like visitor visas have also faced lowered approval rates, with just under half approved so far in 2025 compared to a decade-long average of 64%.
Backlogs at IRCC remain another pressure point. As of the end of July, over 40% of immigration applications were backlogged, including 23% of study visas. Although new IRCC officer hires promise improvements in processing consistency, experts warn that backlogs may worsen before they improve.
In response to these challenges, educational institutions and advisors are urging applicants to ensure their documentation is complete and accurately presents their eligibility. Incomplete or ineligible applications remain a common ground for refusal, so careful preparation is more important than ever to improve the chances of success.
This rise in refusals following a decade of relatively stable approval rates represents a fundamental shift in Canada’s international student landscape, driven by new policies and heightened scrutiny from immigration authorities.
