New data published on 6 November 2025 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that 74 % of student-visa applications from Indian nationals were refused in 2025, more than double the 32 % denial rate recorded two years earlier. Out of 4,515 applications lodged this year, only 1,196 were approved, the sharpest decline on record.
Officials attribute the spike to tighter scrutiny of proof-of-funds and a crackdown on fraudulent admissions after a 2023 scandal involving 1,500 fake offer letters. Similar tightening is visible elsewhere: U.S. data show 41 % of Indian F-1 applications were rejected in FY 2024, while Australia granted 48 % fewer student visas to Indians year-on-year.
![Canadian Student-Visa Rejection Rate for Indians Soars to 74 % in 2025, Raising Alarms]()
The trend disrupts outbound mobility plans for hundreds of Indian families and jeopardises revenue projections for immigration consultants and education-technology firms. Many colleges are responding by demanding upfront tuition deposits and third-party financial verification.
Experts advise prospective students to prioritise authenticity: apply only through institution-verified portals, budget higher proof-of-funds (CAD 20,635 for 2026 intake) and prepare for AI-based credibility interviews. Institutions may also shift recruitment to Tier-2 Indian cities, where denial rates are marginally lower, to diversify risk.
Officials attribute the spike to tighter scrutiny of proof-of-funds and a crackdown on fraudulent admissions after a 2023 scandal involving 1,500 fake offer letters. Similar tightening is visible elsewhere: U.S. data show 41 % of Indian F-1 applications were rejected in FY 2024, while Australia granted 48 % fewer student visas to Indians year-on-year.
The trend disrupts outbound mobility plans for hundreds of Indian families and jeopardises revenue projections for immigration consultants and education-technology firms. Many colleges are responding by demanding upfront tuition deposits and third-party financial verification.
Experts advise prospective students to prioritise authenticity: apply only through institution-verified portals, budget higher proof-of-funds (CAD 20,635 for 2026 intake) and prepare for AI-based credibility interviews. Institutions may also shift recruitment to Tier-2 Indian cities, where denial rates are marginally lower, to diversify risk.
