Canada Turns Down 74% of Study Permit Requests from Indian Applicants

OTTAWA, Canada — In August 2025, Canada rejected approximately 74 % of study permit applications submitted by Indian students, marking a historic high in refusal rates for applicants from India, according to data cited by Reuters (10/11/2025).

The figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that of the more than 4,500 applications from Indian students that month, only about a quarter were approved a sharp rise in rejections from around 32 % in August 2023.

“We found a large number of fake letters of acceptance used in study-permit applications,” said an IRCC spokesperson, as quoted by Reuters. “These tightened measures were necessary to maintain the integrity of our immigration system.”

Major Canadian universities and colleges are already feeling the impact. The number of Indian applicants has tumbled, while enrolment of Indian students has dropped significantly, especially in institutions that once heavily relied on tuition from India.

“The applicant drop has altered the composition of our student body,” said a senior administrator at one institution.

The policy shift is part of a broader effort by the Canadian government to curb temporary migration growth and minimize fraud in international study permits. A Reuters review found that the overall global study-permit refusal rate in August was about 40 % but at 74 %, Indian applicants faced the highest rejection rate among countries with more than 1,000 approved applications. 

Indian opt-in institutions are now adapting to the trend. Many associations in India warn this could dampen Indian students’ enthusiasm to select Canada as their destination, while Canadian institutions worry about financial and diversity impacts.

An education industry leader in India noted: “Hundreds of students have lost the chance to study in Canada despite preparing their documents and funds properly.”

Analysts say the steep rise in rejections may reshape global student mobility. With Canada tightening access, many Indian students are expected to shift their focus to other countries such as Australia, the UK and Germany which are perceived as more open.

Observers also suggest that Canadian universities heavily reliant on international fees may need to diversify their recruitment strategies. Without corrective measures, the policy could impact Canada’s long-term position as a top destination for international students.