The IRCC shows that the number of Indian student permit applications that got turned down shot up in August 2025.
Canada’s intensified efforts against student visa fraud and temporary migration have caused a significant decrease in Indian study permit approvals and reduced enrolment at major universities, as both governments express a wish to rebuild normal relations amid continuing scrutiny and new immigration regulations.
According to Reuters, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that the number of Indian student permit applications that got turned down shot up in August 2025. A whole 74% were rejected, which is way more than the 32% rejected in August 2023.
Plus, way fewer Indians applied – the number went down from 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in August 2025.
India, which has traditionally been Canada’s biggest source of international students, currently faces the highest rejection rate among key applicant nations.
Fraud and Verification Issues
- In 2023, officials discovered 1,550 study permit applications were bogus, mostly coming from India.
- In 2024, better checks turned up more than 14,000 possibly fake documents.
Canada has strengthened verification processes and increased financial documentation requirements for applicants.
Government and Diplomatic Environment
The limitations stem from diplomatic strains between Canada and India following Trudeau’s 2023 accusations regarding India’s role in a murder in British Columbia—allegations denied by India.
Ottawa has suggested new authorities to revoke batches of temporary visas due to fraud worries (Bill C-12). Internal documents referred to India and Bangladesh as “challenges specific to each country.”
Effect on Universities
University of Waterloo: Enrollment of Indian students decreased by two-thirds over 3–4 years.
Comparable decreases noted at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.
Universities report that visa limits and increased scrutiny have altered campus diversity.
Responses
Indian Embassy (Ottawa) recognized elevated rejection rates, yet highlighted the quality of Indian students.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that Canada continues to welcome Indian students, but needs to safeguard the integrity of the system.
Recent advancements
Things are starting to warm up between India and Canada! PM Modi is planning a trip to Canada in June 2025, and both countries have appointed new high commissioners.
On the downside, it’s taking longer to get a Canadian TRV (Temporary Resident Visa). It used to take about a month, but now it’s closer to two months. Plus, fewer visas are being approved – approvals dropped from 63,000 in January to 48,000 in June.
