The Canadian flag waves proudly atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, October 24, 2025, standing tall against the autumn sky. The Canadian Press
Canada’s tighter rules on international study permits have led to a sharp drop in approvals for students from India, once the largest source of international learners in the country.
Recent government data shows that 74 per cent of Indian applications for study permits were rejected in August 2025, compared with 32 per cent a year earlier. Overall, about 40 per cent of study permit requests from all countries were denied during that period.
Applications from Indian students have also declined dramatically, from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in August 2025.
India has long been Canada’s top source of international students, but this year it also recorded the highest refusal rate of any country with over 1,000 accepted applicants.
Ottawa’s Effort to Tackle Fraud
The stricter screening comes after Canadian immigration officials discovered 1,550 fake college acceptance letters in 2023, most linked to applicants from India. Authorities later uncovered 14,000 additional suspicious documents from applicants around the world, prompting the government to strengthen its verification system.
Canada has since raised financial requirements for study permits and introduced tougher background checks to confirm that student applications are legitimate.
An immigration department spokesperson said these measures protect both schools and students from fraud. “We want to ensure only genuine students enter the country,” the official noted.
The Indian Embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the growing rejection rates but said the decision to issue study permits rests with Canada. “We would like to emphasize that some of the best students in the world come from India,” it said.
Diplomatic Strains Add to Tensions
The stricter visa approvals come at a time when relations between Canada and India remain tense. The two countries have been working to rebuild ties since former prime minister Justin Trudeau accused India’s government of being involved in the 2023 killing of a Canadian Sikh leader — a claim that India has denied.
Despite the political friction, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada still welcomes Indian students and values their contributions to education and research. “We want to maintain the integrity of our immigration system while keeping opportunities open,” she said.
Universities Feel the Impact
Canadian universities are already feeling the effects of the shift. The University of Waterloo, one of Canada’s leading engineering schools, reported a two-thirds drop in Indian enrolment over the past four years. Similar declines have been seen at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.
“We pride ourselves on being an international university,” said Ian VanderBurgh, associate vice-president at Waterloo. “The new limits on foreign student visas have changed our student population significantly.”
Visa experts also report stricter financial checks. Michael Pietrocarlo of Border Pass said applicants now need to go beyond showing simple bank statements. “They must prove where their money came from and that it’s real,” he explained.
Changing Attitudes Toward Studying in Canada
For some Indian students, Canada’s appeal is fading. Jaspreet Singh, who came to Canada in 2015, said the country once encouraged students to “Study, work, stay.” That message, he believes, has changed.
Singh, who now runs the International Sikh Students Association, said he understands the need to address fraud but feels the new barriers discourage honest students. “Some who were rejected say they’re not even disappointed — they’re relieved they didn’t come,” he said.
