Canada’s Visa Crackdown Severely Impacts Indian Students as Rejections Surge

India's students have been hit hard by Canada's recent decision to cut back on the number of international study permits. The number of applications has dropped sharply, and the rejection rates are at an all-time high.  The policy, which was part of Ottawa's larger plan to limit temporary migration and fight visa fraud, has resulted in the second year in a row that new study permits have been cut for 2025.

 According to data from Canada's immigration department that was shared with Reuters, 74% of study permit applications from India were turned down in August 2025. This is a big difference from the 32% that were turned down in the same month in 2023.  The numbers show that Indian students, who have historically been Canada's largest group of international students, have been hit harder by the stricter visa rules.

 The overall rejection rate for international applicants stayed around 40% in both August 2023 and August 2025. However, the rate for Chinese students was much lower this year at 24%.

 The change in policy is a big deal for Canada's immigration and education systems.  Canada has long been seen as one of the most welcoming places for foreign students, but now it is making it harder for them to get in because of worries about a lack of housing, public services that are too busy, and claims that student visa programs are being abused.

 Experts in education say that the new rules could make Canada less appealing to Indian students, many of whom pay a lot of money in tuition and living expenses, which helps the economy.  Schools in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, where Indian students have traditionally made up a large part of the student body, are already getting ready for possible drops in international enrollment.

 Ottawa says the move is necessary to protect the "integrity" of the international education system, but the huge rise in rejection rates has worried both students and universities. This shows that Canada is changing its once-liberal approach to international education.

Also Read : Education Excellence Magazine for further details