Overview

• IRCC data show 62% of student visa applications were refused in 2025, up from 52% in 2024 and well above prior years.
• From January to June, permits issued fell to 36,417 from 125,034 a year earlier, a drop of nearly 90,000.
• IRCC figures reported by Yahoo indicate applications also declined to 302,795 in the first half of 2025 from 398,675 in 2024 and 575,535 in 2023.
• Ottawa’s shift includes caps launched in 2024, higher proof‑of‑funds of CA$20,635, closure of the Student Direct Stream, and tighter post‑graduation work‑permit rules with new language thresholds.
• The federal plan targets 437,000 study permits in 2025, and colleges and universities report hits to finances and offerings as reports point to especially high denial rates for Indian applicants.