Canada's 2025 study permit crackdown caused a 74% rejection rate for Indian applicants, up from 32% in 2023, due to fraud concerns and stricter checks.

Canada’s 2025 crackdown on study permits led to a 74% rejection rate for Indian applicants in August, up from 32% in 2023, with applications dropping from 20,900 to 4,515. The surge in denials follows heightened scrutiny over fraud, including thousands of suspicious documents and fake admission letters linked to India. Stricter financial verification and background checks have made approvals harder, prompting sharp declines in Indian enrolments at Canadian universities. While overall rejection rates were near 40%, Indian applicants now face the highest refusal rate among major sending countries. Canada is also exploring new powers to cancel visas in bulk due to fraud concerns, sparking debate over fairness and impact on migration.