If you are an international student who wants to study in Canada, then one of the steps you must take is to obtain a study visa or study permit. This may seem like an easy thing to do—much more manageable than securing admission to a Canadian university or college—but this isn’t the case. It can be more complicated than it seems to obtain a Canadian study permit. 

Reasons for Study Permit Rejections

There are a variety of reasons that someone’s request for a study permit gets rejected. These are some of the most common ones:

• You can’t provide a detailed study plan.
• You can’t provide proof that you can financially support yourself while in Canada.
• You don’t have a history of travelling outside your own country.
• You have strong ties to Canada.
• You have a poor academic history.
• The program you want to study does not have strong job prospects in your home country.
• You haven’t provided the appropriate documentation.

We’ll explain below why each of these can be a potential reason to reject a study permit application. If you want to study in Canada, but had your study permit application rejected, this can be devastating. I’ll also talk about what you can do if your application is denied and how I can help you.

Lack of a Detailed or Appropriate Study Plan

If an applicant doesn’t have a detailed plan about what they want to study in Canada and why they want to study it, their application for a study permit may be rejected. The applicant must provide precise details on why they want to pursue a program and how it will help them in their home country.​

Insufficient Funds to Support Applicant

At a minimum, an applicant must be able to show that they can support themselves for the first year of the program they have enrolled in. If an applicant cannot prove that they have enough money to support themselves, their application may be rejected.

Inadequate Travel History

Another factor that is taken into account when granting study permits is the applicant’s travel history. If the applicant has never left their home country, this may be counted against them when considering whether to grant a study permit.

Strong Family Ties to Canada

Another factor that can impact the success of an applicant is if they have strong family ties to Canada. This is actually considered a negative thing when applying for a study permit.

Poor Academic Performance

Another thing that immigration officers will look for is to see if you have a solid academic performance, especially in areas relating to your program. In addition, you will need to be able to provide proof of strong English language skills, such as a high IELTS or TOEFL score.

No Job Prospects in Your Home Country

Another reason your study permit application may get rejected is that immigration officials may have concerns that there are no reasonable prospects of you getting a job in your home country after you finish your degree. This can lead the official to the conclusion you may not intend to return home.

Issues With Evidentiary Document

If you haven’t filled out your application correctly or some of the required documents are missing, then immigration officers may immediately reject your study permit application. 

Next Steps After Application Rejection

If your application for a study permit has been rejected, this doesn’t mean you should just give up. The key to appealing a rejection is to have a strong understanding of Canada’s immigration guidelines.

If you are rejected, you can re-apply, but it is quicker and more effective to request a judicial review. There are several reasons a good immigration lawyer can help you with this process:

• They can help you review your paperwork and see where you may have made mistakes.
• They can help challenge your study permit rejection using knowledge and experience they have from previous cases.
• They can draft a detailed letter that addresses any issues or concerns that immigration officials may have about your application.

You don’t have to go it alone if your study permit application has been rejected. I can help you find out why your study permit application was denied, and help you deal with all the steps required to have your application reconsidered.

You Can Realize Your Dream of Studying in Canada

A rejected study permit application doesn’t have to be the end of your dreams of studying in Canada. With professional help, you can learn about why your study permit application was rejected and what your options are for having your application reconsidered.