Study permit refusals have been on the rise this year.

To improve your chances of approval, you must present an application that clearly demonstrates that you meet all the required criteria.

A carefully prepared application can decide between approval and refusal by an immigration officer.

This blog sheds light on the most common reasons for study permit refusals. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can significantly enhance your likelihood of success.

What are the main reasons behind the refusal of study permit applications to Canada?

Lack of Sufficient or Proper Proof of Funds

Your study permit application could be rejected if:

You lack the necessary funds, or
You have sufficient funds but fail to provide adequate proof.

IRCC requires study permit applicants to demonstrate they have enough funds to cover their living expenses in Canada, along with tuition and travel costs.

For 2024, single applicants studying outside of Quebec must show a minimum of $20,635 CAD in funds, excluding travel and tuition. This amount represents 75% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). Fund requirements vary depending on your family size and increase annually.

Keep in mind that bringing accompanying family members will further influence the required financial proof.

Insufficient Ties to Your Home Country

To secure a study permit, you must convince the immigration officer that you intend to leave Canada after completing your studies.

This is typically demonstrated by showing strong ties to your home country, indicating a clear likelihood of returning rather than staying in Canada beyond the validity of your temporary resident status.

The immigration officer will evaluate your connections to both Canada and your home country. Additionally, they will consider broader economic and political factors that may influence your ability or willingness to return home.

These factors may include your financial capacity (such as having funds for airfare or a statement of bank assets) and legal readiness (like possession of a valid passport, travel documents, or required visas) to facilitate your return.

Incomplete or Missing Letter of Explanation

Including a letter of explanation in your study permit application is optional but highly recommended.

This letter allows you to articulate your goals and motivations for selecting your school and program, as well as your reasons for choosing Canada as your study destination.

While it’s not mandatory, IRCC suggests including it, as a well-written letter can provide valuable insight to the immigration officer, helping them better understand your intentions and aspirations for studying in Canada.

Incomplete Application or Missing Supporting Documents

If your application is incomplete, IRCC will not process it. Instead, they will return it to you with a written request for the missing information.

Additionally, your application may be returned if you fail to pay the required fees.

Unverified Letters of Admission from Schools

Starting December 1, 2023, international students must have their Letter of Admission (LOA) validated by the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) before proceeding with their study permit application. This validation occurs after students submit their study permit application.

DLIs will have 10 calendar days to validate the LOA through IRCC’s online portal. The deadlines for each applicant are clearly shown to schools in the portal.

If the LOA is not validated within the given timeframe, IRCC will mark the application as incomplete and return it to the applicant along with the processing fees.

Verification must be completed before midnight on the specified date, based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Summary:

Study permit applications to Canada are often rejected due to insufficient proof of funds, lack of ties to the home country, weak letters of explanation, missing documents, or unverified Letters of Admission (LOA). Applicants must show they can cover living expenses, tuition, and travel, and demonstrate strong ties to their home country. A well-written letter of explanation can help clarify motivations. Since December 1, 2023, LOAs must be validated by the Designated Learning Institution within 10 days, or the application will be considered incomplete.