By the end of 2022, there were approximately 808,000 foreign student enrollments in Canada. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada is expected to set a new record in 2023. As of the end of November 2022, IRCC processed over 670,000 study permits, compared to about 500,000 during the same period last year. This is fantastic news as it shows the large number of young adults taking charge of their future by choosing challenging study paths and career opportunities abroad, especially in Canada.
However, the numbers are also indicative of increasing rejection rates as universities become saturated and applications go up. If you are a student aspiring to study abroad in Canada, there are ways you can ensure that your application is not rejected, and you can fly ahead to fulfill your dreams of an overseas education experience. A CICC-licensed Canada study visa consultant, like Can-America, can guide you through the process and ensure that immigration formalities and application process are done in the best possible way.
Read more: Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Immigration Consultant
Let’s look at the main reasons why student visa applications get rejected and what you can do to prevent Canada visa refusal.
- Insufficient funds – When you apply for a study permit in Canada, the IRCC will review your capability to support yourself financially. You need finances for your trip to Canada, your tuition fee, and stay and other expenses for you and your accompanying family members. A bank statement of four months has to be submitted with your application as evidence of your financial stability. In case the authorities feel that you do not have sufficient funds to support your Canadian dreams, you will need to assess the visa officer’s concerns and resubmit documents to meet the criteria. IRCC has to be convinced that funds are available to you when you need them. Your trusted visa immigration consultant should be able to give you an accurate idea of what amount of money you must have in your bank account for your application to be accepted.
- Choice of study program – Ideally, your chosen study program must match your professional aspirations, your prior educational background, and/or your past work experience. There should be evidence of a natural progression in your educational or career path. If immigration officials feel that your educational background has no logical connection to your chosen program, your application is likely to be rejected. In case you have a rationale behind your choice, this must be clearly explained in your personal statement. Discuss your study program options and personal statement content with your CICC-licensed abroad education consultant to ensure that your future plans align with your past achievements and that your goals are conveyed realistically and convincingly.
- Letter of acceptance – To apply for a study permit in Canada, you must first have a letter of acceptance from a Canadian-designated learning institution (DLI). In addition, you must fulfill the required criteria for the respective school. Partner with a trusted Canada study visa consultant, who will assess your documentation, including the letter of acceptance, the minimum eligibility criteria proof as stated by the Canadian government, plus any supporting personal document or statement that is to be attached with your application to ensure your paperwork is complete.
- Intent to return to home country – The visa officials perusing your application need a convincing narrative for why you want to study in Canada and why you will return home after your program is completed. They will assess what they call “home ties”, which are factors that connect you to your homeland. These can be family, assets like a house or apartment, inheritance, investments, etc. If they find that your intent to return to your home country is unclear, or you don’t have home ties, they are likely to refuse you your study permit. Make sure your personal statement clearly mentions that you intend to return to your home country once the program is complete. Also, state any home ties that you may have to clarify your intention to return to your country. Basically, the authorities need to be convinced that you will not stay illegally after your temporary study visa has expired.
- Incomplete or improper documentation – Transparent and accurately completed documentation is crucial for the acceptance of your application. Improper documentation can get your application rejected instantly, even if you hold a visa for another country. There have been instances where US visa holders have submitted incomplete documents under the impression that holding a US visa would be an easy step up to a Canadian visa. This is a misconception. Your visa immigration consultant will cross-check all your documents to ensure there are no gaps in your documents and adequate proof is attached to your application, no matter what your visa status in another country is. Also, beware of submitting fraudulent documents for this could get you temporarily banned from applying for a Canadian visa for a period of up to five years.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are other reasons as well that may lead to rejection of your application. Only an experienced licensed immigration professional can guide you in submitting an application in an accurate way to avoid such kinds of rejections.
Communicate your concerns to your abroad education consultant for advice on how to manage these inconsistencies and risks. A CICC-licensed agency that provides study abroad consultancy services, such as Can-America, has all the necessary tools and resources to help you achieve your Canadian dreams in the right manner.
If you have any questions, write to us at info@canamerica.ca. To learn more about the best immigration consultants for Canada, head here.