A record number of students were refused Canadian visas last year, as figures show the continued impact of the country¡¯s harsher immigration policies.

Immigration caps introduced in January 2024 led to a sharp fall in students coming to Canada¡¯s universities ¨C with applications even falling short of the caps?because of?reduced demand.

shows that almost 290,000 study permit applications were refused?in 2024. The online services company said this record high volume raises urgent questions about transparency and application readiness.

Around 268,000 applications were approved. This approval rate of 48 per cent was down from about 60 per cent in previous years.

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ApplyBoard said political shifts signal that IRCC officers are applying ¡°elevated scrutiny¡± to study permit applications. But alongside the caps, they said this was also caused by recurring applicant challenges, particularly around financial readiness and immigration intent.

Over 75 per cent of refusals were because the immigration officer was unconvinced the applicant would leave Canada at the end of their stay, based on their travel history. This was now the most common reason given, having been mentioned in?only 8 per cent of refusals in 2021.

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¡°The extensive use of this reason last year suggests that many applicants are perceived as having permanent residency as their primary purpose, instead of study,¡± said ApplyBoard.

And over half (53 per cent) of visas were refused over fears that the applicant will not leave the country, based on their financial assets. And 47 per cent of reasons cited that the student¡¯s purpose of visit was not consistent with a temporary stay.

Immigration officers, who can provide more than one reason for their decision, also cited insufficient financial resources for tuition in 19 per cent of refusals and insufficient financial resources for living expenses in 18 per cent.

The government has increased its cost-of-living requirement for study permit applications several times in recent years.

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Analysis from earlier this year revealed that the number of Indians granted student visas in Canada dropped sharply last year.

Recent figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that overseas student demand continues to fall.

Just 4,185 students were issued a study permit in June, which was down from 11,287 in the same month in 2024. In the first six months of the year, the number of new study permits fell by 66 per cent compared?with 2024.

In a statement, the IRCC said: ¡°We¡¯re making our immigration system more responsive to the needs of the country as part of the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

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¡°This includes reducing the number of students and temporary workers coming to Canada to help ease pressures on housing, infrastructure, and services.¡±

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com