In August, Canada rejected 74 per cent of Indian applications for permits to study at Canadian post-secondary institutions, according to immigration data, Reuters reported. This is an emerging pattern amid Canada’s clampdown on immigration, and the Indian embassy in Canada said it came to their attention, but issuing study permits is Canada’s prerogative. Despite the decline, India remains Canada’s top source of international students. In August, India also had the highest study-permit refusal rate of any country with more than 1,000 approved applicants. After years of diplomatic tension under former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Canada under Mark Carney is restoring its ties with New Delhi. Carney recently said the relationship with India is improving.While the rejection rate of Indian applications was 74 per cent in August, about 24 per cent of Chinese study permits were rejected in August. The number of Indian applicants has dropped, as well, from 20,900 in August 2023 – when Indians formed just over one quarter of all applicants – to 4,515 in August 2025. The University of Waterloo, the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan have also reported a decline in the number of Indian students enrolled.
‘Sufficient funds to study in Canada ‘
Michael Pietrocarlo of Border Pass, which helps people apply for Canadian visas, said his firm prepares applicants to show their eligibility beyond what’s required on paper. The expert said that it’s not enough to show bank statements to prove that the applicants have sufficient funds to study in Canada, they have to go to the extra mile and show where the money came from. International Sikh Students Association founder Jaspreet Singh said Canada’s attitude towards India has changed and fraud is also a concern. He said when he came to Canada in 2015, there were government posters welcoming newcomers to “Study, work, stay” in Canada. But now it’s difficult to get a job or permanent residency after finishing higher studies and so the rejection should not upset the applicants.
