Canada visa crisis

Indian student rejection rates soar amid fraud crackdowns, tighter immigration caps, & more

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Canada, long seen as the dream destination for Indian students due to its promising "study, work, and settle” pathway, is experiencing an unprecedented shift. Recent data indicates a sharp and dramatic increase in the rejection rate for Indian student visa applications, causing widespread concern across the Indian student community and in Canadian academic circles.

According to official data cited in recent reports, the refusal rate for Indian study permit applications has jumped significantly, reaching an alarming high—with nearly three out of every four applications being denied in key months of 2025. This refusal rate is the highest globally among countries with a substantial number of applicants, contrasting sharply with the global average and the much lower rejection rate for students from countries like China.

Key drivers

The heightened scrutiny and subsequent rise in rejections are not random; they are the result of several intertwined factors, primarily driven by Canadian policy changes and domestic pressures.

Crackdown on visa fraud

A major catalyst was the widespread discovery of fraudulent college acceptance letters submitted in past years, with a vast majority of these cases linked to applicants from India.

Heightened scrutiny:

Canadian authorities have implemented enhanced verification systems to detect forged documents, leading to a much more rigorous review of every application.

Proof of authenticity: