Canada rejects 80% Indian student visas in 2025 amid stricter rules: Reports

Canada, once considered among the most welcoming destinations for international students, is tightening its stance at a pace unseen in years. New data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that 62% of student visa applications were rejected in 2025 — up from 52% last year and significantly higher than the earlier average of 40%.

For students around the world, these numbers represent more than administrative hurdles; they reflect a shift in how Canada is redefining its approach to international education.

Visa applications of 80% Indians have been turned down, according to media reports. Although a detailed country-by-country breakdown has not been released, education outlet Pie News noted that the surge in refusals is likely to have ripple effects across Asia, Africa, and other regions.

In 2024, Canada welcomed over one million international students, making it the second-largest host country after the United States. Among them, 41% came from India, 12% from China, and more than 17,000 from Vietnam, VnExpress reported.