Canada’s Student Visa Rejection Rate Soars to 62% in 2025 — What It Means for Students
Canada, long considered a top destination for international students, is becoming harder to get into. New data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that 62% of student visa applications were rejected in 2025 — the highest level in a decade.
In 2024, the rejection rate stood at 52%, and in previous years, it hovered around 40%. The sharp increase signals a major policy shift that is reshaping Canada’s international education landscape.
Rejections at a Decade-High
Indian students have been the hardest hit, with some reports suggesting rejection rates as high as 80%. Applicants from other parts of Asia and Africa are also facing tougher scrutiny.
This comes after Canada welcomed more than one million international students in 2024 — the second-highest number globally after the United States. Nearly half of those students were from India, followed by China and Vietnam. But this picture is now changing rapidly.
Why Canada Is Rejecting More Applications
Canada’s decision to tighten approvals is closely tied to domestic challenges. A housing crisis, rising living costs, and concerns about whether students can support themselves have all prompted stricter rules.
Here are the key changes driving rejections:
- Higher Proof of Funds: Minimum financial requirements doubled to CA$20,635 (about US$14,963) in December 2024.
- Tougher Application Reviews: Paperwork must be precise, with detailed study plans and no errors.
- Closer Scrutiny by Officers: Immigration files are being checked more thoroughly than in previous years.
Fewer Study Permits & New Post-Study Rules
Canada plans to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, around 10% fewer than last year. Of these:
- 73,000 are for postgraduate students
- 243,000 are for undergraduate and other programs
- 120,000 are for school-age children and renewals
But it’s not just the numbers that have changed. Post-graduation work permit rules have also been tightened:
- Language Requirement:
- University graduates must show B2-level English or French
- College graduates need at least B1 level
- Program Approval: Students in unapproved programs no longer qualify for post-study work permits
- No More Student Direct Stream: The popular fast-track visa program for students from 14 countries has been shut down
The Numbers Tell the Story
The cap on international students, first introduced in 2024, is now tighter than ever. Last year, Canada issued only 267,890 new study permits — nearly 100,000 fewer than its official target and almost half the number issued in 2023.
As of mid-2025, Canada still has a large international student community:
- 546,562 hold a study permit only
- 312,010 hold both work and study permits
But the overall direction is clear — Canada is scaling back.
Impact on Students & Universities
For students, the new rules mean higher financial pressure, longer preparation times, and a greater chance of rejection. Many are now looking at alternatives such as Australia, the UK, and Germany, where policies may be more favourable.
For Canadian universities and colleges, the drop in approvals could mean a significant hit to revenue, as international tuition fees have been a major source of funding. Institutions may have to rethink recruitment strategies, adjust programs, or cut staff to cope with lower enrolments.
Final Take
Canada’s stricter student visa policies mark a turning point for international education. While the country remains attractive, the barriers to entry are now higher than ever. Students planning to apply must prepare stronger, more detailed applications and ensure they meet the new financial and language requirements — or consider other countries as part of their study-abroad strategy.
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