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For many people, getting a Canadian study permit has become more difficult. Eligibility requirements and document expectations have increased, and even strong applicants are seeing refusals more often than in prior years.
One major reason is that Canada is issuing fewer study permits. The government has said that it expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, which is 7 percent lower than the 2025 target and 16 percent lower than the 2024 target. IRCC has described this intake cap as a tool to slow the growth of Canada's temporary resident population.
In this environment, it's especially important to submit a strong application the first time and to understand your options if you receive a refusal.
What Is Considered When Assessing a Study Permit Application
Applying for a Canadian study permit is sometimes viewed as a paperwork exercise. In reality, officers are not simply checking boxes when reviewing an application; they are assessing credibility, intent, and whether applicant's overall plan makes sense considering their background.
Each year, many applicants are refused—at times because applicants fail to meet basic eligibility criteria, but also because their application fails to clearly explain why studying in Canada makes sense for them, or their intention in Canada is to stay temporarily.
A Holistic Assessment
When assessing a study permit application, an officer must be satisfied that basic eligibility criteria are met, such as the inclusion of a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution and, in most cases, a Provincial Attestation Letter, as well as proof financial requirement thresholds are satisfied.
Importantly, the officer must also be satisfied the applicant is a genuine student who will comply with the conditions of their temporary stay in Canada. This assessment is holistic.
Officers consider the applicant's education and employment history, the relevance of the chosen program to the applicant, the timing of the studies, and how the program fits into the applicant's long-term career path.
A well-prepared application tells a clear story. A weak application leaves the officer to guess—and guessing rarely works in an applicant's favour.
You Need a Strong, Coherent Study Plan
To that end, one of the most common reasons for refusal is an unconvincing purpose of study. Officers expect to see a reasonable progression, whether academic or professional. This does not mean that career changes are impossible, but they must be explained and justified.
A strong study plan clearly answers these types of questions: Why this program? Why this institution? Why Canada? Why now? How will this education be used after leaving Canada?
Generic explanations about Canada's quality of education or lifestyle are rarely persuasive on their own. Officers are looking for specificity.
Evidence of Temporary Intent Matters
A study permit is a temporary resident application. Even though some international students may eventually qualify to apply for a post-graduation work permit and Canadian permanent residence status, an officer must therefore be satisfied you are likely to comply with the conditions of your temporary entry. As such, applicants must demonstrate that they understand this and that they have meaningful ties outside Canada.
What Happens When a Study Permit Is Refused?
In the scenario of a refusal, it can mean that an officer was not convinced by the evidence or explanations provided.
The first step is to carefully review the reasons for refusal against what was included in the study permit application. In many cases, the refusal letter is accompanied by the Officer's Decision Notes (ODN). The refusal letter and ODN can, although not always, reveal what led the officer to the decision to refuse the application.
Depending on the basis for refusal, options may include submitting a reconsideration request, filing a new, stronger application that addresses the reasons for refusal, or perhaps requesting the Federal Court to review the decision. Judicial review might be appropriate if the decision was unfair or unreasonable. The strategy will depend on the facts of each case and the nature of the refusal.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
