Canada Student Visa Rejection Reasons & How to Avoid Them

Yes, Canada welcomes record-breaking foreign students in recent days. But it doesn’t mean getting a student visa is a cup of tea for everyone.

The slightest mistake or unclear information can cause student visa refusals. This especially happens in South Asian countries including Bangladesh.

Look at the statistics of our neighboring country-

As of September 2022, the Canadian student visa rejection rate is 60% for many of the Indian states.

Ever wonder Why?

Generally, the common reason for Canada visa refusal is a lack of proof of financial means. The other causes are unclear visit reasons, inadequate travel history, incomplete documentation, and not meeting the educational requirements.

Is Canada strict on student visas?

Canada is not strict on student visas. 

………..(if you have all the proper documents and bank solvency at hand).

The government is welcoming, that’s true. But they don’t want any unwanted hassle in their country.

And the result?

They check the application from top to bottom thoroughly and ensure that every document is attached to the application. And make sense. They reject the visa if they find any unusual or unreliable information added to the documents.

However, after the pandemic, the Canadian Government’s rejection rate of international students visa from many countries is higher than average. 

The prime reason for this rejection is a backlog of ongoing applications and the increasing popularity of Canadian colleges and universities.

For this reason, it creates a conception that Canada is strict on student visas. But it is not true at all. In fact, IRCC approved 329,213 sturdy permits. This number is 60% of all student visa applications in 2021.

6 most Common Reasons for Canada Student Visa Refusals (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Problem with Identity Documents & Travel History

The Canadian Government may not approve your travel history and identity document for multiple reasons. The reasons include,

• Invalid passport
• Incomplete travel history
• Expired passport
• Denied entry to Canada in past
• Criminal record/Canadian Government considered you as a security risk

The solution:

To avoid visa refusals, ensure the following.

• Double-check, even triple-check, your document before applying. Make sure every document is attached, and all the information is valid.
• Visit or contact the Canadian Embassy to which the document needs to be attached and prepare them accordingly.

2. Unclear Finances/ Sponsorship

Inadequate financial sources is the prime reason for a student visa rejection in Canada. 

Every applicant for a Canadian student visa must need to show stable financial support. Meaning that they have required finance to support themselves during their studies. It consists of the below points,

• Living expense
• Tuition fees
• Other related costs

The solution:

An applicant has to show proof of financial stability with proof that the sponsor has enough capability to bear the expenses in Canada. Make sure the sponsor have a steady balance on the account for the last 6 month and have properties as a backup.

You also need to prove where this fund came from to the sponsor. You can provide supporting documents such as Income tax documents, Asset valuations by tax professionals or chartered accountants, or even a self-declared affidavit with the details of your assets/ assets of your sponsor.

3. Poor English Proficiency Score

All Canadian Universities have minimum academic and IELTS score requirements for international students. An applicant must meet the minimum requirements.

If a student applies for a visa without meeting the academic requirement, the visa will surely be rejected. Sometimes, the university accepts students with conditions of taking extra English classes, or even without any condition despite low IELTS score, however, it’s the visa officer’s discretion whether he thinks the student genuinely intends to study there or has other purposes.

If you have low IELTS score, the visa officer often thinks that you are not a genuine student, and you can’t complete this degree with this poor English language proficiency.

The solution:

Before applying to a university, learn their minimum requirement. Try to keep a good overall band score and then apply. Sometimes university approves with a low score, but the same score doesn’t always convince the visa officer.

Please take your time to improve your score and then apply once you get the minimum. We recommend at least overall IELTS 6, with no band less than 6.

4. Not Maintaining the Standards of International Security

The Canadian Government also looks at international security standards before giving a visa to an international student. The standards include the below points.

• Previous criminal record
• If the student is a part of terrorist activities
• If you have been rejected to enter Canada for security purposes

If the Government finds there is a security concern or feels that you are a threat to the country, they won’t take the risk to get on the country.

The solution:

Try to keep a clean history that shows that you’re safe for the country.

5. Poorly Written Letters of Acceptance & from non-DLI schools

A letter of acceptance is your key to opening the door to student Canada. 

If it is poorly written and doesn’t clearly explain why you are asking for the student visa, your application will most likely be rejected. 

Make sure your letter of acceptance covers the below points.

• Start date of your program
• Study length
• Tuition fees

On the other hand, if you ask for a visa to study at a private school or Non-DLI, there is a high chance that they may refuse the visa. The letter should mention that it is approved by the territorial government to conduct an education program. 

The Solution:

This is why selecting the right Institution is important. Always look for opportunities at DLI school which also will give you the room to apply for PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit) program after graduation.

So, Choose your study program wisely. 

6. Lack of Intent to Return to Their Home Country

A study permit is a temporary visa. 

It only allows students to study in Canada. A person who wants to stay in Canada permanently or work there requires a separate visa. 

If the visa officer feels that the student won’t return to their home country after completing their study, they might reject the visa. 

The Solution:

Clearly state a strong tie with the country in the SOP. This will help you get an approved Canadian student visa.

What are the chances of a Canada student visa rejection?

As per IRCC, the chance of a visa application rejection is roughly 30%. 

IRCC published a report recently regarding the number of Canadian Student visas. In 2021, the total application for student visas in Canada was 621,565. In comparison, the number was only 352,330 from 2015 to 2021. The average Canada Student Visa refusal rate is 30%.

Now let’s talk about Bangladesh.

Allow us to show the Number of Study Permits Applications Processed by Bangladeshi Students and the Approval rate-

Can I get a Canadian study visa after refusal?

Yes, you can get a Canadian study visa after the refusal anytime. But the only condition is that your decision letter shouldn’t be addressed as “YOU CAN’T.”

Now, while applying again, you have to follow the below simple trick

• You mustn’t include information that you had included earlier. If you do so, the application may get rejected again. 
• Also, evaluate the reason for rejection before applying again. Make sure that the same mistake is not repeated. 
• Add extra documents and arguments which will make the application stronger. 

So, if the Canadian Government rejects your student visa, don’t hesitate to reapply. But make sure you solve all the issues of previous rejection.