Canada’s ongoing clampdown on international student visas has dealt a heavy blow to applicants from India, government data shows, as what was once one of the most sought-after destinations for higher education loses its appeal among Indian students. According to immigration department data provided to Reuters, about 74% of study permit applications from India were rejected in August 2025 — more than double the 32% rejection rate recorded in August 2023.
By contrast, the overall refusal rate for all foreign student applications remained steady at around 40% during those months, while just 24% of Chinese applicants were denied. The total number of Indian applicants also plunged, from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 this past August — a decline that reflects growing frustration and uncertainty among Indian students. India has long been Canada’s largest source of international students, but it now also has the highest refusal rate among all countries with more than 1,000 approved applicants.
The surge in rejections comes as Canada reduces the number of international student permits for the second consecutive year in an effort to limit temporary migration and crack down on fraud. The tighter scrutiny follows revelations in 2023 that nearly 1,550 fraudulent study permit applications — mostly from India — had been submitted using fake letters of acceptance. Canada’s immigration department told Reuters that its upgraded verification system detected more than 14,000 potentially fraudulent letters of acceptance across all applications last year.
Ottawa has since rolled out enhanced verification protocols and raised financial requirements for applicants, saying the changes are meant to preserve the integrity of the immigration system. The Indian embassy in Ottawa said it was aware of the spike in study permit rejections but emphasized the quality of Indian applicants. “Some of the best quality students available in the world are from India, and Canadian institutions have in the past greatly benefited from the talent and academic excellence of these students,” the embassy said in a statement.
Tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi have further complicated the situation. Relations soured after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the 2023 killing of a Canadian citizen in British Columbia — an allegation India has denied. Although both countries have since sought to ease tensions, the visa issue remains a flashpoint. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told Reuters during a visit to India in October that while Ottawa remains committed to maintaining system integrity, it continues to welcome Indian students.
The policy changes are already reshaping Canadian campuses. The University of Waterloo, home to the country’s largest engineering school, has seen a two-thirds drop in students from India over the past few years. Similar declines have been reported by the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan. Ian VanderBurgh, associate vice president of strategic enrolment management at Waterloo, said the trend has altered the makeup of the university’s student body. “We pride ourselves on being an international university,” he said.
Student advisors say the new environment has made the application process more demanding. Michael Pietrocarlo, of Border Pass, a firm that helps applicants prepare for Canadian visas, told Reuters that officials are now requiring stronger documentation to prove financial and academic eligibility. “It’s not enough just to say, ‘Here are some bank statements,’” he said. “They may have to go the extra mile and show where the money came from.”
For many, the Canada dream that once promised “Study, work, stay” has faded. Jaspreet Singh, founder of the International Sikh Students Association, who came to Canada a decade ago, said he understands why fraud concerns are driving tougher measures — but also why fewer Indian students are disappointed about being turned away. “It’s become harder to get permanent residency or a job,” he said. “Some of those rejected now tell me they’re happy they didn’t come.”
