India, historically Canada’s largest source of international students, now has the highest refusal rate among major applicant countries
04 November, 2025 – Chandigarh : Canada has intensified crackdown on student visa fraud and temporary migration has led to a dramatic decline in Indian study permit approvals and a drop in enrolment at major universities, while both governments signal a desire to restore normal relations amid ongoing scrutiny and new immigration controls.
74% of Indian study permit applications were rejected in August 2025, up from 32% in August 2023, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data cited by Reuters.
Overall rejection rate: 40% of all applications.
China’s rejection rate: 24%.
Sharp drop in Indian applications
Number of Indian applicants fell from 20,900 (Aug 2023) to 4,515 (Aug 2025).
India, historically Canada’s largest source of international students, now has the highest refusal rate among major applicant countries.
Fraud and verification concerns
In 2023, authorities found 1,550 fraudulent study permit applications, mostly from India.
In 2024, enhanced verification flagged over 14,000 potentially fake documents.
Canada has tightened verification and raised financial proof requirements for applicants.
Government and diplomatic context
The restrictions follow diplomatic tensions between Canada and India after Trudeau’s 2023 allegations about India’s involvement in a killing in British Columbia—claims India denied.
Ottawa has proposed new powers to cancel groups of temporary visas over fraud concerns (Bill C-12).
India and Bangladesh were described as “country-specific challenges” in internal documents.
Impact on universities
University of Waterloo: Indian student enrolment down two-thirds in 3–4 years.
Similar declines reported at University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
Universities say visa caps and scrutiny have changed campus diversity.
Reactions
Indian Embassy (Ottawa): Acknowledged high rejections, but emphasised Indian students’ quality.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada still wants Indian students, but must protect system integrity.
Consultants: Applicants now must prove financial and academic credibility in greater detail.
Recent developments
Diplomatic thaw: PM Narendra Modi’s June 2025 visit to Canada and new high commissioners appointed in both countries.
Processing delays: TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) times increased from 30 to 54 days; approvals fell from 63,000 (Jan 2024) to 48,000 (June 2024).
The Tribune