Canada tightens visa rules, rejects 80% of Indian student visas in 2025

Canada, once seen as a top destination for international students, recently, introduced one of its most stringent visa policies in a decade. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), around 80 per cent of Indian student visa applications were rejected, marking a significant increase from previous years.

For years, Canada has attracted thousands of ambitious students with its reputation for safety, quality education, and career opportunities. But the situation has changed dramatically.

In 2024, only 1.88 lakh Indian students were admitted, nearly half the number from two years earlier. As a result, Germany overtook Canada as the most popular choice for Indian students, drawing 31 per cent of applicants, while Canada’s share dropped from 18 per cent in 2022 to just 9 per cent in 2024.

The visa policy shift stems from growing domestic pressures. Canada faces housing shortages, overloaded infrastructure, and political calls to focus on local talent. In response, visa requirements doubled to over CA$20,000, and language tests became tougher, and work rights during studies and after graduation were limited. Even the Student Direct Stream program, which sped up approvals, was discontinued. For 2025, the government aims to issue 437,000 study permits, a 10 per cent reduction from the previous year.

The impact is far-reaching. Students and families investing in costly applications and test preparations now face higher rejection risks. Many had hoped to use studies as a path to permanent residency. Meanwhile, smaller Canadian colleges, heavily dependent on international tuition, face severe financial  struggles, with some facing closures.

In contrast, Germany is emerging as the new hotspot, with Indian student numbers doubling in the last five years. Affordable education, English-language programs, and clear career paths make Germany a strong contender. Other alternatives gaining popularity include France, Finland, Australia, and the Middle East, reshaping the future of international education.