Canada’s research allow refusal charge has risen considerably in 2025, affecting hundreds of potential college students.
Many of those refusals consequence from widespread errors that may simply be prevented or addressed previous to software submission.
On this article, we discover 5 frequent causes of research allow refusals and supply steering on how you can strengthen your software to make sure it is in the perfect form doable.
Uncover your choices to check in Canada
1. Inadequate funds
To be eligible for a research allow, it’s essential to be capable to present immigration officers that you’ve the monetary assets to cowl:
- Your tuition charges;
- Residing bills for you and any accompanying relations throughout your keep in Canada; and
- Transportation prices to and from Canada, for your self and any accompanying relations.
Should you wouldn’t have the ample funds, otherwise you do however don’t present enough proof testifying to that reality, an immigration officer might refuse or reject your Canadian research allow software.
On September 1, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) elevated the proof of funds requirement for worldwide college students. These quantities are up to date yearly.
The next desk reveals the proof of funds necessities (per yr) presently in place for all provinces and territories besides Quebec, based mostly on the dimensions of your loved ones:
| Variety of relations | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,895 |
| 2 | $28,502 |
| 3 | $35,040 |
| 4 | $42,543 |
| 5 | $48,252 |
| 6 | $54,420 |
| 7 | $60,589 |
| If greater than 7 individuals, every further member of the family | $6,170 |
The quantities don’t embody your tuition and transportation prices.
Quebec has totally different fund necessities; if you’re desiring to research in Quebec*, it’s essential to have the next funds based mostly on age and variety of individuals included in an software:
| Variety of relations | Quantity till December 31, 2025 | Quantity as of January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| One individual beneath 18 years of age | $7,756 | $24,617 |
| One individual aged 18 and over | $15,508 | $24,617 |
| Two individuals aged 18 and over | $22,745 | $34,814 |
| Two individuals aged 18 and over, one individual beneath 18 | $25,479 | $42,638 |
| Two individuals aged 18 and over, two individuals beneath 18 | $27,499 | $49,234 |
Quebec additionally has a $500 settlement charge in your first yr in Canada.
*To check in Quebec, it’s essential to first acquire a Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
Additional, international nationals wishing to check in Canada are required to acquire medical insurance for all the period of their keep in Canada.
Whether or not or not you will have supplied ample proof of funds is in the end on the discretion of the immigration officer, however you’ll be able to assist your probabilities of success by anticipating potential considerations and making certain the proof you present addresses them.
| Potential concern of officer | Learn how to handle potential concern(s) |
|---|---|
| Doubts on the opportunity of future funding | Embrace supplementary monetary data, for instance:
– Guardian’s employment particulars / pay-slips; – Checking account historical past spanning a related time period; and/or – Present or previous employment particulars. |
| Inadequate funds to reside and research in Canada | Take into account offering IRCC greater than one of many following:
– Proof of a Canadian checking account; – A Assured Funding Certificates (GIC) from a collaborating Canadian monetary establishment; – Proof of a scholar/schooling mortgage from a financial institution; and/or – Financial institution statements masking the previous few months. |
| Funds held in a international foreign money | Embrace one (or extra) of the next with the applying:
– A letter from a Canadian or worldwide monetary establishment stating that the required funds are in deposit beneath the applicant’s identify (particularly related to currencies that may fluctuate recurrently, relative to the Canadian greenback); – A financial institution draft in a convertible foreign money for an quantity equal to the funds required for the upcoming educational yr; and/or – Written testomony from the applicant’s financial institution that the required funds are on deposit, and from the monetary management authorities that the applicant might be allowed to export a sum enough for “upkeep prices” (dwelling bills) in Canada. |
Uncover your choices to check in Canada
2. Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is a typical motive why research permits get refused, as it’s thought-about a typical type of fraud by immigration authorities.
Misrepresentation happens when an applicant submits false or deceptive data to IRCC as a part of their software.
It is essential to notice, nevertheless, that unintentional errors or errors—even when they’re executed by a consultant—may been categorised as misrepresentation by IRCC. This may embody issues resembling by accident filling out an software type incorrectly or forgetting to enter all earlier journey historical past to Canada (together with quick journeys).
IRCC might decide that you’ve misrepresented your self in your software on the premise of deliberate acts resembling:
- Offering false, fraudulent, or altered documentation, resembling a cast Letter of Acceptance (LOA) or incorrect financial institution statements;
- Omitting or withholding essential data, resembling having a felony report or minimizing your ties to Canada; or
- Offering inconsistent or contradictory data.
Misrepresentation can have critical penalties past your research allow software being refused, together with
- Receiving a everlasting report of fraud with IRCC;
- Being charged with committing a felony offence;
- Having your momentary resident standing stripped;
- Being faraway from Canada; and/or
- Being banned from getting into Canada for no less than 5 years.
To keep away from misrepresentation in your research allow software, at all times be sincere and clear together with your solutions. Double-check all dates, paperwork, and private data to make sure consistency and accuracy.
Should you’re not sure about something, particularly previous visa refusals or monetary particulars, disclose it and supply a proof. And in the event you notice an error after submission, appropriate it instantly by way of the IRCC webform to point out good religion.
3. Failure to display real momentary resident intent
One more widespread motive research permits are refused is because of failure to show momentary resident intent.
One of many key eligibility necessities related to acquiring a research allow is proving to an immigration officer that you’ll go away Canada as soon as your research allow expires.
If an immigration officer believes you haven’t demonstrated a real momentary resident intent, it could actually result in the outright refusal of your research allow software.
To show that you’ll not stay in Canada when you’ve accomplished your research, you normally should present that you’ve sturdy ties to your house nation.
To establish your intent, an immigration officer will assess your ties to Canada and your ties to your house nation.
There are a number of methods you’ll be able to display sturdy ties to your house nation to scale back the prospect of a refusal, together with (however not restricted to):
- Having speedy relations in your house nation, resembling kids, dependent mother and father, or a partner;
- Proudly owning property in your house nation—like a house or actual property properties;
- Having a steady job in your house nation or a suggestion of employment that corresponds with the top of your research interval in Canada;
- Proudly owning a enterprise in your house nation; and/or
- Having sturdy social or neighborhood connections in your house nation (involvement with native organizations, spiritual teams, or colleges).
Officers may also contemplate the broader financial and political situations in your house nation, as instability can increase considerations about your probability of returning.
Notably, it’s reliable for a global scholar to mean to ultimately apply for everlasting residence—that is referred to as twin intent.
Whereas IRCC officers are instructed to not reject an software resulting from twin intent, it is very important perceive that even beneath this rule, a research allow applicant should present their intention to go away Canada on the finish of their authorized keep, at the same time as they specific their intent to completely settle within the nation.
Uncover your choices to check in Canada
4. Lacking documentation
An entire research allow should embody all mandatory main documentation, in addition to any secondary supporting documentation that could be required resulting from your private circumstances.
Failure to submit the required documentation in your research allow software might lead to your research allow software being seen as incomplete and result in a rejection.
IRCC deems sure sorts of paperwork as “at all times required” for each research allow software, whereas others are designated as “wanted normally,” “beneficial,” or “verify if wanted,” based mostly on an applicant’s scenario.
Beneath are the paperwork falling beneath every class; reviewing what it is advisable embody can assist you keep away from a research allow refusal based mostly on lacking documentation:
All the time required
- LOA out of your designated studying establishment (DLI);
- In case your DLI fails to validate your LOA in time, your software might be returned.
- Relations of somebody who has a research or work allow software that’s been authorized in writing earlier than they arrive to Canada do not want a LOA.
- Proof of id for your self and every accompanying member of the family;
- A replica of a legitimate passport or journey doc.
- Two images (passport measurement) with identify and date of delivery written on the again of every.
- Proof of funds, which might embody (however isn’t restricted to) the next.
- Proof that your tuition and housing charges have been paid;
- Financial institution statements for the previous 4 months;
- Proof of a Canadian checking account (in the event you’ve transferred funds to Canada);
- A letter from the individual or establishment providing you with cash.
Wanted normally
Advisable
Test if wanted
- Medical examination (you’re given an Data Sheet by the doctor that serves as proof of completion);
- An examination is required in the event you:
- will keep in Canada for greater than six months;
- have lately hung out in choose international locations; or
- plan to work in a task the place public well being should be protected.
- Police certificates;
- Proof of care;
- For youngsters beneath 18 coming to Canada and not using a guardian/authorized guardian.
- Different country-dependent paperwork particular to your native visa workplace.
- Go to the “Learn how to apply” web page, choose “Outdoors Canada” after which “Apply on-line,” and eventually choose your nation or territory.
- An examination is required in the event you:
After paying your research allow charge ($155 per individual); it’s essential to additionally connect a duplicate of your receipt(s) as proof of cost. Failure to pay your charges—in full and on time— or present proof of cost might lead to processing delays or refusal.
IRCC can also attain out to you and request further documentation past these talked about right here, based mostly in your distinctive circumstances, if mandatory. Offering a immediate response helps scale back the probability of processing delays or refusal.
5. Unclear function of go to
When making use of for a research allow, one of many key components immigration officers assess is whether or not your main function is genuinely to research in Canada.
Whereas it’s completely acceptable to precise your long-term curiosity in working in Canada after commencement, your educational targets ought to at all times be your primary focus. Which means in case your software gives the look that your main motivation for coming to Canada is to work (for instance), your research allow software may very well be refused.
Visa officers are skilled to scrutinize not solely your educational background but in addition your profession trajectory and the way your chosen program aligns together with your previous experiences.
Widespread causes an officer might contemplate your function of go to to be unclear embody:
1. Mismatch between your background and chosen program: In case your program appears unrelated to your previous research or profession, it could actually increase questions. For instance, making use of for a wonderful arts program after finding out engineering might seem inconsistent. Guarantee your Assertion of Goal (SOP)* explains why this subject aligns together with your long-term objectives.
2. Greater {qualifications} than this system you’re making use of for: Making use of for a lower-level program than your present {qualifications} (e.g., a bachelor’s after a grasp’s) could be problematic. You might want to clarify why this program is critical in your profession development and the way it fills a niche in your expertise or data.
3. Lack of profession profit: If this system doesn’t appear to immediately profit your profession, the officer might query your intentions. Spotlight how this program will enhance your employability and advance your profession.
*Whereas not obligatory, offering an SOP together with your research allow software could be helpful in your probabilities of approval, because it supplies the immigration officer reviewing your software with further context.
An SOP is basically a succinct private essay that highlights your educational historical past, motivations, and profession objectives, and the explanations behind your determination to check in Canada. Embrace any data that you simply assume will assist your trigger, particularly if you’re altering your profession path.
