Canada student visa rejection rates stand at 55%
Education consultants report that ‘unprecedentedly high’ Canadian student visa rejection rates stand at 55%
Canada Student Visa Rejection. In 2021 alone, there were 621,656 international students studying in Canada. Despite the country coming under fire recently for its high visa rejection rates among students of certain nationalities, studies suggest it remains the preferred study destination for many. Last year, IDP Connect found that 69% of 3,650 students interviewed for the “New Horizons” survey ranked Canada as their most considered study destination.
However, a worrying trend emerged last year: Canada has reportedly been denying thousands of student visa applicants from countries like India and Nigeria. Some Iranian students have also been in limbo as their Canadian student visa applications have been delayed, with no end in sight.
Canada student visa rejections have only resulted in frustration from talents who will likely bring their contributions elsewhere. Source: Daniel Slim/AFP
Canada student visa rejection rates have reportedly doubled in some countries
Post-COVID-19, the TOI reported that overseas education consultants are reporting high Canadian student visa rejection rates of 40% to 50% this year. A student visa consultant was quoted as saying that the refusal rate has “more than doubled” this year. Pre-COVID-19, Canada student visa rejection rates were between 15 to 20%. All these high visa rejection rates could be attributed to the unusually high number of pending visa applications.
From Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, 556,700 study permit applications were submitted to the Government of Canada, which reported that this was a 76% increase compared to the same period in 2020.
Declining interest in other study destinations
Student visa consultants speculated that another reason for high student visa rejection rates in Canada could be due to international students’ declining interest in other popular studies abroad destinations such as Australia and New Zealand — two countries that closed their doors to international students due to COVID-19 concerns.
Unfortunately, stellar students with promising profiles are not safe from Canada student visa refusals either. There is no formal explanation for the rejections but most surprising is that most of the affected are students with excellent academic profiles and paperwork.
Processing times for student visas have also increased exponentially and can take anywhere between nine to twelve months long.
IRCC has been accused of discriminating against African students seeking a Canada student visa. Source: Rodger Bosch/AFP
Critics allege “racial bias” behind high Canada student visa refusals
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration published a report earlier this year on the possibly discriminatory treatment faced by some foreign students, after gathering evidence on issues like high study permit refusal rates and racism within the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The report found that Canadian student visa rejection rates were particularly high among students from Africa. It also suggests that IRCC visa officer decisions “may be affected by racial bias”, following concrete proof provided by an employee focus group. Some of the instances of racism reported included internal references to certain African countries as “the dirty 30” and stereotypes of Nigerians “as particularly untrustworthy.”
Talented graduates in limbo
Student visa rejections don’t just affect prospective students. They also affect graduates who have completed their studies at Canadian universities. The frustration extends to employers looking to recruit talented graduates.
What Do I Do Next?
If you are looking for an opportunity to study in Canada, and enhance your chances of success with your student permit application, you need to talk with us. Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.
Optimize your chances of success immigrating to Canada with Chugo Immigration Services!
What are your options for Canadian Immigration?
We will help you to navigate any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Humanitarian and Compassionate
- Study to Immigrate
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
- Family Sponsorship
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Workers Program
- Caregivers
- Canada Business Immigration Programs
- Refugee and Asylum
- Visa rejections and Appeals
Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!
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