In the first four months of 2025, the approval rate was 43%.
Published: September 14, 2025 12:50 AM IST
(File)
New Delhi: Canada has begun reducing the number of workers and students entering the country. Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between January and April 2025 has revealed significant information about foreign students and workers.
What does IRCC say?
IRCC has accepted only 43% of student visa applications during this period, while 69% of work permit applications have been approved during this period. Over the years, foreign students have contributed a lot to the success of Canada, who pay huge tuition fees to the institutions here. Similarly, foreign workers are also running many industries where there has been a shortage of workers. However, now the declining approval rate for student and work visas shows that the path to Canada is becoming difficult for both.
Reasons for cut in student visa approval
In the first four months of 2025, 1,82,404 foreign students applied for visas, out of which 78,620 got visas. Thus, the approval rate remained at 43%. There are two main reasons for the decrease in the student visa approval rate. First, colleges, universities and cities do not have the capacity to accommodate a large number of foreign students. Second, it has been easy to get permanent residency as a student, but there is a lot of demand for this route. Because of this, now student visas are being given only after strict scrutiny.
Challenges posed by foreign students
Not only this, but due to foreign students, there has also been pressure on Canada’s resources. Canada has faced a shortage of houses, a lack of jobs and pressure on healthcare. There are many cities where there are not enough resources to meet the needs of the local people, and on top of that, the situation is getting worse after the arrival of foreign students. In such a situation, the number of visas for students has been reduced, and the applications of students applying for a visa are being strictly scrutinised.
Situation of work visa
In Canada, only 1,25,305 foreign workers got entry into the country in the first four months, making the approval rate of work visas at 69%. Canada is gradually reducing its dependence on foreign workers. In sectors where there is a shortage of people, the approval rate is quite good. But there are also some sectors where the number of working people is higher, due to which the approval rate is decreasing. Work visa approval rate is good in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, whereas the condition is bad in sectors like IT.
HIGHLIGHTS
Canada has drastically cut down student-work visas.
Canada has begun reducing the number of workers and students entering the country.
Data from the IRCC between January and April 2025 has revealed significant information about foreign students and workers.
IRCC has accepted only 43% of student visa applications during this period.
Over the years, foreign students have contributed a lot to the success of Canada, who pay huge tuition fees to the institutions here. Similarly, foreign workers are also running many industries where there has been a shortage of workers. However, now the declining approval rate for student and work visas shows that the path to Canada is becoming difficult for both.