Indian student applications to Canada fall as visa rejections rise
What's the story
The number of Indian students applying to Canadian universities has dropped significantly, with nearly half of this year's autumn intake applicants facing visa rejections. The trend is attributed to a stricter study permit regime in Canada. Universities like the University of Regina and the University of British Columbia have confirmed a decline in international student enrollment, including those from India.
Rejection rates
Visa rejections impact lower-ranked colleges and short-duration courses
The rejection rates are particularly high for lower-ranked colleges and short-duration courses, with up to 80% of applications getting rejected. However, most colleges are refunding the full fee or giving an option for deferral. Isabelle Dubois from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said all study permit applications are treated equally regardless of the country of origin.
Employment hurdles
Post-study employment challenges contribute to decline
Experts have also pointed out that the increasing difficulty in securing post-study employment opportunities has contributed to the drop in applications from Indian students. At the University of British Columbia, Indian students make up about 16% of undergraduate international students. However, Heinrich Kurt from the university admitted that recent federal immigration policy changes have impacted enrollment and led to a decline.
Policy impact
IRCC regulations and visa processing delays affect enrollment
Mindy Ellis from the University of Regina said changes to IRCC regulations and delays in student visa processing have negatively impacted international student enrollment. However, some universities like the University of Toronto are accommodating international students who can't start their programs on time due to study permit delays. Piyush Kumar from IDP Education revealed that over 40% of students faced visa rejections for the fall 2025 intake.
Destination shift
Students explore alternative destinations amid visa challenges
Students who were initially looking to study in Canada but faced visa challenges are now considering the UK, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. Adarsh Khandelwal from Collegify said refusals are mainly among students applying for short and generic diploma programs at lesser-known private colleges. Sanjay Laul from MSM Unify said this year is a "quality filter" as approval of study permits will now depend on housing situation and labor market conditions.