Most international students apply for a Canada Student Visa because they have a bigger objective of getting admission into a university or college in Canada.
Canada prefers to invite and retain more international students because they contribute immensely to the economy. Moreover, their tuition payment helps accommodate the domestic financial education cost.
The previous records suggest that the maximum number of Canadian student visa rejections are those who apply for Canadian undergraduate studies. However, those candidates who applied for their Doctorate underwent the least number of rejections.
International students require to submit their student visa and study permit if they seek to pursue their studies in their country.
After the pandemic, several applicants applying for study permits are facing application rejections. The extreme popularity of Canadian colleges and universities and the existing application backlog have resulted in failed applications. However, looking at the 2021 application data, it is clear that IRCC provided at least 329,213 study permits, and 60 percent of the student visa applications received approval. Conversely, in 2022’s first quarter, the approval rate of study permit applications was reduced to merely 55 percent.
Possible reasons for rejection of Canada student visa applications
To avoid rejection for a student visa application or study permit you must get a detailed understanding of the possible reasons behind their rejection through IRCC.
The following reasons could lead to your Canada student visa or Canadian study permit rejection by IRCC:
Not possessing a letter of acceptance from a DLI
International students can’t qualify to receive a study permit if they have not acquired their education through a Canadian Designated Learning Institute. When an international student successfully gets admission to a DLI, he receives a letter of acceptance. You will then attach this LOA with your application.
Failing to submit a study permit application with a Letter of Acceptance or submitting an LOA that is not from a DLI will certainly lead to application rejection.
Inability to demonstrate your intention of leaving Canada after your study completion
Visa officers tend to investigate your intention to leave Canada once you complete your studies. One of the primary conditions associated with a study permit is that it won’t allow you to stay in Canada once your study permit expires. However, you will have the chance to apply for a study permit extension and also a Post-Graduation Work Permit once you complete your graduation. If you display even the slightest intention to reside in Canada after the expiry of your study permit or after the completion of your studies, your application will face rejection.
Lack of clarity on the reason behind your visit
You must convince the visa officer that you’re genuinely looking to study in Canada because failing to do so will again cause application refusal. To convince the officer, you must demonstrate through a statement of purpose how your study program will eventually lead you to achieve your career objectives. You will also need to provide the reason behind your wish to pursue studies in Canada. However, if you’re unable to prove these two things, the officer might question your intention to reside in Canada and misinterpret your visit as means of illegal activity.
Insufficient financial funds
For a successful Canada Student Visa application, you must prove that you have adequate financial funds to support your Canadian education. The foremost thing to do to prove your financial potential is to prove through sufficient documents that you have already paid your first-year tuition fees, or you have the money required to pay the fee. Besides this, you must present proof of your ability to sponsor your cost of living while you pursue your studies in Canada. Proof of available funds, savings, scholarships, and bank loans will be essential.
For instance, if you apply for a study permit through Student Direct Stream, make sure you also buy a GIC worth $10,000. You will need to buy a GIC worth $11,000 if you wish to study in Quebec. Additionally, you must present proper documents relevant to your study permit application. Essentially, the funds included in your GIC will partially cover your living expenses during your study program.
Inaccurate or missing academic documents- Canada student visa
While applying for the student visa, ensure you provide all relevant previous educational credentials, such as your mark sheets and official transcripts. The significance of your academic record is that it will prove your academic worth and validate your past accomplishments.
However, if your academic records show inaccuracy or inconsistency, your application will face rejection by the officer.
A study program not in sync with your previous qualification
Since your application is for a student visa or study permit, your study program will play a major role in determining whether your application will get approval or not. Make sure that the study program you opt for aligns with your career path. The visa officer must not feel you have any hidden intention behind moving to Canada. The only reason behind your Canadian study must be education and nothing else. Supposedly, if your study program doesn’t seem to align with your previous education, clearly justify the reason behind this in your statement of purpose. This will prevent the officer from having any doubts about your real intentions. Clearly elaborate on how the current study program will positively impact your career goals.
Unjustified breaks in your education or experience
Your work history will play a crucial role in convincing the visa officer. Therefore, you must ensure that there are no inconsistent gaps in your education and work experience. In any case, if you have valid reasons behind such inconsistent breaks then you must explain them in writing.
Acquiring low scores in language tests
Language proficiency is a significant factor impacting your study permit application. You must first take an approved language test, such as CELPIP, TEF, IELTS, or TCF, then ensure good results per the Canadian Language Benchmark. Also, you will need to specifically prove your French language proficiency if you enroll in Quebec.
Your existing family connections in your native country
If you have strong family connections in your home country, visa officers might interpret this as a sufficient reason to make you stay longer than your legal stay in Canada. Therefore, having immediate family members in Canada might work against you while applying for a study permit. Not having your family members in your home country might also lead to the officer thinking that you probably have no valid reason to return to your country. This might also question your intention to stay in Canada.
Excess amount of study permit applications
A situation where there is an excessive application backlog can lead to higher chances of application refusal. However, in such a case, you won’t be at fault. But, the delayed processing times by IRCC might lead to an unfortunate rejection due to minor issues.
Failing to get admission due to criminal or medical issues
The inability to receive a proper bill related to medical or health issues might lead to application rejection. Besides this, you will find it challenging to enter Canada if you have any previously existing criminal record. In fact, the officers will most likely deny you entry into the country. Conversely, your study permit application might get approval if you were 18 years old when you committed the crime.
Inappropriate travel history
While applying for a Canada student visa, the officer will consider your previous travel history. When you sit to fill in your application, make sure you provide all accurate details regarding your international travels. Any false information based on your international travel history will make the officer reject your application.
Missing documents
Paperwork is a vital part of your study permit application procedure. Hence, it is crucial to submit all relevant documents with your application. These documents will include a variety of things, such as a letter of acceptance, an explanatory letter, financial proof, valid ID proof, or a Quebec Selection Certificate (in case you seek the permit for Quebec). Generally, the local visa office carefully provides a document checklist to the applicants; make sure you review the list. Few other countries might have to submit additional documents.
False information on your Canada study visa application
In case your application is inaccurate or contains any false claims, it will fall under the rejection category. Immigration officers scrutinize all the details included in your documents. Therefore, it is crucial for all applicants to provide only accurate information in their application. They must provide a justified statement of purpose. Misrepresenting any information in your application is an act of criminal offense. Such an act will lead to application rejection and further ban your entry to Canada for five years straight away.
Consulting an unauthorized immigration representative
Any educational consultant or immigration representative you plan to hire can significantly impact your application if they aren’t authorized as consultants. CICC approves educational consultants, referred to as Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors. These RISIAs bear affiliation with Canadian colleges and universities. Unlicensed immigration consultants can make you write false statements on your application and assure you of getting admission to a Canadian school. Therefore, you need to take responsibility for figuring out an authorized immigration consultant who can guide you the right way throughout your application procedure.
Increase the possibility of your study permit’s approval
Make your study permit application convincing enough with complete information, accurate details, and a justified reason for letting you study in Canada.
Ensure to follow the following tips to avoid application rejection at all costs:
Keep a document checklist
Each country has different document requirements; make sure that all the relevant paperwork is mentioned on the list. You can also incorporate documents that are not on the list but can increase your chances of application approval. For instance, if you possess a stock portfolio or a property, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate before the visa officers that you have adequate reasons to return to your native country once you complete your studies in Canada.
The Canadian college or university must be a DLI
Before you fill out forms for any college or university in Canada, make sure that the specific college or university falls under the DLI list. The DLIs of Canada only accept international students. Therefore, if you seek study permit approval, you must ensure admission to a DLI school.
Carefully opt for a study program
Select a study program in Canada that will have a vital link to your previous education or work experience. For instance, if the program you choose doesn’t directly connect with your career goals, ensure that you justify the significance of the skills you will acquire through the program and their impact on your career. One such example can be a person who received knowledge related to marketing but would like to pursue a study program in Data Analytics; he would justify the situation by stating how the skills he would acquire will help him in successful marketing campaigns.
Submit essential financial proof
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate will be essential if you seek to apply for a study permit or student visa through the Student Direct Stream. The GIC must be of a minimum of $10,000, while the Quebec applicants must have a GIC worth $11,000. Also, prepare beforehand to prove to include the additional amount of processing fee or administration fee in your GIC payment. This is because financial institutions might deduct such charges from your account. Keep the financial proof of submitting your tuition and accommodation fee for the first year.
In the case of general study permit streams, bank statements, scholarships, and education loan proof will prove helpful. You will increase your student visa approval chances by presenting a greater number of funds.
Statement of purpose is crucial
Including a letter of explanation, also known as a statement of purpose, can significantly help your student visa application approval. However, including it is optional. Including this explanatory letter will prove beneficial as it will justify your purpose of visiting Canada. Besides this, it will clarify the reasons behind choosing a specific study program, your career goals, and academic breaks.
Work on your language score
Your first try for approved language tests might not be successful. However, you do have chances to reapply for these tests, such as CELPIP, IELTS, TCF, or TEF. The language test fee will be around $300, and a good score will further help you get admission to a Canadian college or university. This will undoubtedly help you get an approved student visa. Additionally, you must also practice as much as possible before you give the tests again.
Highlight your intention of leaving Canada after your studies
Immigration officers are keen on checking your intention to leave Canada. They look forward to bringing responsible international students to Canada. This implies that the officers expect international students to get back to their countries after completing their studies. Applicants can prove their intention by explaining their future career objectives for their home country in the letter. They can also highlight the contribution of the Canadian experience to their career goals. Since your future in Canada won’t be certain, it will be best to not reveal any intention of extending your Canadian stay once you graduate.
Consult only a RISIA
In any case, if you wish to take help from an immigration educational consultant, ensure that they are authorized consultants, that is, RISIA. These consultants have the authority to direct you and suggest you the right things for your study permit or Canada student visa applications. However, you must note that they don’t have control over your application submission, so you will have to apply independently.
How to deal with Canada student visa application rejection?
The foremost thing to do once you face rejection for a student visa application is to request to view the official notes of the Canada visa officer. These notes refer to as Global Case Management System notes. Considering these will provide you with the correct reason behind your application rejection. To access these notes, you must ask an immigration representative with Canadian citizenship and permanent residency to do so. However, you might have to wait 60 days to receive the GCMS notes.
Also, when you receive information through these notes, you will be able to assess the actual reason behind your application refusal. Hence, you can further understand whether the reason is valid or not. After this, you can also reapply for a student visa or move to court to review the application, if required.
The immigration officer’s decision will leave you with the following options:
Apply again for a study permit
Reapplying for a study permit is an option for you if you still need to provide specific documents or financial proof. Choosing this option will enable you to attach the additional documents with your application. You could even postpone your Canadian studies by a semester. This will provide you with sufficient time to reapply for your study permit and obtain your visa. Ensure that your second application is better and doesn’t include the same errors as in the first application. However, you can better choose a RISIA to advise you throughout the revised process.
Appeal to the court to review your application
You can take help from the federal court and request them to review your application, provided you’re extremely sure about an unfair rejection on the officer’s behalf.
Taking help from an authorized immigration lawyer is essential. The federal court doesn’t consider reviewing all cases so you shall use this option only if necessary.
Revoke your college or university’s admission
There might be circumstances when you fail to take the right action for your application. For instance, your application could be messed up due to insufficient fund proof. Apart from this, you could lack the essential educational credentials. In these cases, if your application faces rejection, you must cancel your admission at the college or university. Further, you must ask for a refund for your tuition fees. The DLI might charge you an administration fee before they refund your payment. Additionally, if you bought a GIC to present financial proof for your application, you must request a refund for it as well.
Conclusion
As an international student seeking Canadian studies, you will fear the uncertainty of qualifying for a study permit. However, acknowledging the above tips will only improve your chances of a successful Canada student visa application.
