VOI World/ Desk
In 2025, Canada recorded its highest rejection rate in a decade, turning down nearly 80% of student visa applications from Indian applicants, government data shows.
Only about 9% of Indian study-abroad aspirants now consider Canada their top choice—a sharp drop from 18% in 2022. At the same time, Germany has surged in popularity, now the most preferred destination for Indian students, with interest rising to 31%.
Tighter Canadian visa rules are being blamed: increased proof-of-funds requirements (now over CA$20,000), stricter language test benchmarks, closure of the Student Direct Stream fast-track program, and reduced quotas for permits in 2025. These changes have made obtaining a Canadian student visa significantly more difficult than in recent years.
For many Indian students and families, the shift means reconsidering their plans, facing higher documentation burdens, financial pressures from lost fees, and exploring new alternatives abroad. Education consultants note that this trend could reshape international student flows, with countries offering lower visa hurdles and more affordable study options standing to benefit.
