Canada has significantly tightened its regulations regarding international student permits, with Indian applicants facing the most pronounced impact. Recent data from Canada’s immigration department reveals that about 74% of Indian applications for study permits at Canadian colleges and universities were rejected in August 2025. This marks a steep rise from approximately 32% in August 2023, highlighting a dramatic shift in the acceptance landscape for Indian students. Meanwhile, Canada’s overall study permit refusal rate hovered around 40%, with 24% of Chinese applicants also being denied.
The number of Indian applicants dropped sharply from around 20,900 in August 2023 to just 4,515 in August 2025, underscoring a declining interest or increasing difficulty in securing permits. For over a decade, India had remained the top source of international students in Canada, but these tough new measures have greatly reduced its appeal.
Canada’s government attributes this clampdown to a broader strategy aimed at curbing temporary migration and combating fraudulent visa applications. A notable reason behind this crackdown emerged in 2023, when Canadian authorities uncovered more than 1,500 student permit requests linked to counterfeit acceptance letters, mostly originating from India. This led immigration officials to strengthen verification processes and raise financial requirements for applicants, signaling a shift from expanded intake toward preserving the integrity of the immigration system.
These developments come amid political tensions between Canada and India following unresolved diplomatic strains, including allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking Indian agents to the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil—claims repeatedly denied by India.
In this environment, prospective Indian students face increasing hurdles in pursuing studies in Canada, prompting many to reconsider alternative destinations or opportunities.
