Canada Rejects Record 74% of Indian Student Visa Applications in August 2025 — What’s Behind the Massive Drop?
By: EduGazette Desk | Updated: November 7, 2025 | 3 min read
The dream of studying in Canada is slipping away for thousands of Indian students. In August 2025 alone, nearly 74% of Indian student visa applications were rejected — the highest rate ever recorded. This marks a dramatic jump from just 32% in August 2023, raising serious concerns about the future of Indian students in Canada.
According to official data, three out of every four Indian applicants were denied, even as the total number of applications fell sharply from 20,900 in 2023 to only 4,515 this year. That’s a staggering 78% drop.
What’s Causing So Many Visa Rejections?
Immigration experts and officials point to two major reasons behind this spike:
- Increased fraud detection after fake admission letter scams.
- Ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
In 2023, Canadian authorities discovered over 1,550 fake study permit applications, many linked to forged college offer letters provided by unverified agents in India. By 2024, the number of flagged fraudulent documents had climbed to more than 14,000 globally.
As a result, Canada tightened its verification systems, raised financial proof requirements, and began vetting student applications more rigorously. Many genuine students, however, now find themselves caught in this wave of stricter checks.
India–Canada Relations Also to Blame
The surge in rejections comes at a time when relations between New Delhi and Ottawa are already strained. The diplomatic rift began in 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader, an accusation that India strongly denied.
Since then, both sides have exchanged harsh statements, and the tension appears to have spilled into the education and visa sectors — areas that once symbolized strong cooperation between the two countries.
Universities Feeling the Impact
Canadian universities, which have long relied on Indian students, are already feeling the pinch.
At the University of Waterloo, one of Canada’s top engineering schools, Indian enrolments have reportedly dropped by nearly two-thirds in the past four years. Similar declines have been noted at the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
Ian VanderBurgh, Associate Vice-President for Strategic Enrolment Management at Waterloo, said that the government’s cap on foreign student visas has changed the makeup of their student body. “We take pride in being an international institution,” he said, “but this decline is worrying.”
India’s Reaction
The Indian Embassy in Ottawa has taken note of the growing visa refusals, expressing concern over the treatment of Indian students.
In a statement, it emphasized that Indian students have always contributed positively to Canada’s education system, economy, and innovation space.
“Canadian universities have long benefitted from Indian students’ talent and academic excellence,” the embassy said, urging for a more balanced and transparent visa review process.
Canada’s Response
During her visit to India in October 2025, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand reassured that Canada continues to welcome Indian students — but with stricter safeguards in place.
“We must protect the integrity of our immigration system,” she told Reuters, suggesting that while the door remains open, Canada is determined to prevent fraud and misuse.
What Lies Ahead for Indian Students?
With rejection rates soaring and relations tense, many Indian students are now exploring other study destinations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and even Georgia, which have become increasingly popular in recent months.
Education experts say the once-strong India–Canada education link may take years to rebuild unless both nations work toward restoring trust.
For now, the message is clear — the road to studying in Canada has become tougher than ever, and students need to be more cautious than before when applying through agents or institutions.
Tags: Canada Student Visa, Indian Students, Study Abroad 2025, Canada Immigration News, EduGazette Exclusive
