Canadian Study Permits for Indians Down by 31% in the First Quarter of 2025: Explained

Toronto: Amidst stricter immigration measures in Canada, there has been a sharp decline in the number of Canada student visas for Indians. The number of visas issued to Indian students in Canada in the first quarter of 2025 is 31% less as compared to the first quarter of 2024. This is the repercussion of the tighter measures of the federal government on the inflow of international students in Canada.

This Story also Contains

1. What is the Reason for Study Permit Decline in Canada?
2. Stricter Financial and Documentation Requirements for Admission in Canada
3. What Does it Mean for Indian Students?

As per the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), from January to March 2025, only 30,640 study visas have been issued to Indian students, whereas over 44,295 visas were issued last year during this time. The first quarter of 2025 also saw an alarming decline from Q1 2024, from 1,21,070 to 96,015. In fact, the decline in the number of international student admissions in Canada was seen as a result of the changes that were introduced in late 2023, aiming towards “stabilising” the country's population and easing the pressure on infrastructure. Earlier in 2023, the number of Canadian study permit holders hit a record of 6,81,155, out of which 2,78,045 were Indians alone. In 2024, the number dwindled to 5,16,275, out of which only 1,88,465 were Indian students.

Read more:

• Canada Announces a New Cap on Study Visa for 2025

• Canada IRCC Flags 10,000 Fake Student Acceptance Letters Amid Stricter Verification

What is the Reason for Study Permit Decline in Canada?

The main reason behind the sharp decrease in the number of study permits in Canada is the changes in immigration policies by the Canadian government. The reforms were introduced to address the concerns regarding low accommodation options in the country, less healthcare facilities and strained public transportation.

After winning the federal election held on April 28, 2025, the Prime Minister Mark Carney made his intention of putting a stop to temporary migration clear. He announced a cap on Canadian study permits to ensure that temporary residents do not exceed more than 5% of the total population in Canada by 2027. Earlier on September 18, 2024, even the IRCC declared a study permit cap of 4,37,000 study visas in Canada.

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Stricter Financial and Documentation Requirements for Admission in Canada

IRCC has even increased the minimum financial requirement for Canadian study permit applicants. Starting January 1, 2024, the students applying for student visas are required to demonstrate proof of funds amounting to CA$ 20,635 (approximately ₹12.7 lakh), which was previously CA$ 10,000 (about ₹6.14 lakh). Since December 2023, even the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada have become stricter and verifying the acceptance letters electronically to avoid fraudulent international student admissions.

What Does it Mean for Indian Students?

India has long been the largest source of international students in Canada, but the stricter immigration policy changes have resulted in decline of new student enrollments. Hence, Indian students need to be better prepared–both academically and financially while the universities in Canada will demonstrate increased vigilance, scrutiny, and compliance towards the latest Canadian study visa policies.