Overview
- Immigration data show 74% of Indian study-permit applications were refused in August 2025, up from 32% in August 2023, versus roughly 40% overall and 24% for Chinese applicants.
- Indian applications fell to 4,515 in August 2025 from 20,900 two years earlier, and universities report steep enrolment declines, including a roughly two‑thirds drop at the University of Waterloo.
- Ottawa reduced international student‑permit allocations for a second straight year and increased document verification and financial proof requirements for applicants.
- Authorities previously uncovered nearly 1,550 study‑permit applications tied to fake acceptance letters in 2023 and later flagged more than 14,000 potentially fraudulent letters across all applicants.
- Internal documents reported by CBC indicate the government has considered powers to cancel groups of temporary visas over fraud concerns, with India and Bangladesh cited as country‑specific challenges.