Canada’s recent moves to tighten regulations on international students have significantly affected applicants from India, with government data revealing a sharp decline in permit approvals for those seeking to study in Canadian institutions. The new measures are part of a broader initiative aimed at managing temporary migration and curbing fraud associated with student visas.
In early 2025, Canada announced a decrease in the number of international student permits issued for the second consecutive year. Statistics show that 74% of Indian applications for study permits were rejected in August 2025, a dramatic increase from 32% the year before. In comparison, the overall refusal rate for study permits in August 2025 was about 40%, with Chinese applicants facing a 24% rejection rate.
The number of Indian applicants has notably shrunk from 20,900 in August 2023—where Indian students made up over a quarter of total applicants—to just 4,515 in August 2025. This downturn comes as India has held the position as Canada’s top source for international students over the past decade, but now bears the highest refusal rate for study permits among countries with a significant number of applications.
This surge in permit denials comes at a time when Canada is working to improve relations with India after experiencing tensions involving allegations against the Indian government related to the assassination of a Canadian citizen in British Columbia in 2023, which India has denied.
Despite the challenges, there is hope that Canada and India can overcome this period of strained relations and find a pathway to rebuild connections in the education sector. As countries navigate their immigration policies and strategies, it is essential to foster strong educational partnerships for mutual benefit. Education remains a powerful tool for strengthening ties and understanding between nations, and addressing these issues may restore Canada’s appeal to Indian students in the future.