1. Top reasons for Canada Student Visa Rejection
Irrelevant Course Selection
Many students frequently make the error of choosing a course that is unrelated to their previous studies or program. It is crucial to select a course that aligns with your educational background. Even in the case of specialisation programs, there should be some relevance to your previous studies or current work experience, which justifies your choice of the specialised program.
For instance, if you are a Bachelor of Arts student and intend to pursue a post-graduate program in Management and Leadership, which falls under the category of specialisation, it is important to have relevant work experience that supports your decision to study in that particular field. In case you don't justify your course option, there are high chances of visa rejection.
Additionally, the visa officer carefully assesses whether your chosen study program aligns with your future professional aspirations. Successfully convincing the visa officer about your future goals and demonstrating how the specific course relates to those goals increases the likelihood of obtaining a study visa.
Summary of common academic-related reasons for the rejection of Canada student visas:
- Applying for a PG Diploma with a significantly high GPA in your Bachelor's degree.
- Applying for a PG Diploma after completing a Master's degree.
- Having a career gap or interruption in your educational journey.
- Pursuing a second Master's degree (excluding MBA).
- Selecting a program that does not align with your previous educational background.
Low-to-Low Score/Poor Academic Performance
Frequently, students with lower grades face rejection when applying for study programs in Canada. Although there is no specific criterion defining what qualifies as low grades, having strong marks in the subject related to the course you wish to pursue can help justify your study purpose.
For instance, if you have obtained 40 marks each in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry, but have scored 74 marks in Biology and aspire to pursue a program in that field, you can justify your choice of further education. By selecting a study course or specialisation within the Biology stream, you demonstrate a strong academic inclination towards that particular subject area.
Financial Instability
To obtain a study visa for Canada, it is essential to demonstrate financial independence and the ability to pay for at least one year's tuition at the enrolled college. If the officers find that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses without facing financial hardship, they are more likely to grant you the visa.
Successful applicants typically provide financial documentation that proves their ability to sustain themselves in Canada for a specific duration without the need to work. However, they often fail to provide the necessary financial documentation to demonstrate their capacity to pay for at least one year of tuition at the college they are applying to. In Canadian universities, tuition can start at $12,000 CAD (approximately). The Canadian government expects international students to have the financial means to cover their tuition and other costs, hence requiring credible evidence of financial stability.
To address this issue, it is advisable not to focus solely on justifying the minimum required funds. Instead, include proof of adequate finances for more than one year and provide additional financial documentation with your study permit application for Canada. By doing so, you increase your chances of meeting the financial requirements and obtaining a study visa.
English Language Proficiency
To demonstrate English language proficiency, students are required to take an English Language Test. The most widely preferred exam is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), which serves as one of the criteria for students to qualify for the SDS (Study Direct Stream) profile. For the SDS profile, students need to achieve a minimum score of 6.0 individually in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the IELTS exam.
What is the Student Direct Stream in Canada?
A study permit should not be mistaken for a visa as it does not grant immediate entry into Canada. However, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) facilitates an accelerated process for obtaining study permits. Specifically designed for students applying to study at post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada, the SDS is applicable to legal residents of select countries, including India, Pakistan, Colombo, China, and others.
Letter of Acceptance
To apply for a study permit, it is essential to have a letter of approval from a Canadian-designated learning institution (DLI). This letter of acceptance is not the sole requirement, as applicants must also meet the minimum entrance criteria set by the respective school.
It is important to note that the Designated Learning Institute (DLI) must provide a letter of acceptance to every student upon admission. This letter of acceptance serves as a crucial document that international students must submit to visa officials. Failure to receive the letter of acceptance will result in the rejection of the visa or study permit application. Alongside the letter of acceptance, students must provide proof of meeting the minimum eligibility criteria as stipulated by the Canadian government. Additionally, applicants have the option to include any additional supporting personal documents or statements with their application form.
The immigration officer had doubts about the strength of your ties to your home country and your intent to leave Canada on completion of the course.
Failure to demonstrate a clear intent to return to your home country or any other country apart from Canada can be a significant factor leading to the rejection of your student visa. This requirement aims to prevent illegal immigration. It's important to note that a student visa is a temporary visa with an expiration date. Therefore, visa officials seek reassurance that international students will return to their home country upon completion of their studies.
Some international students may consider settling in Canada after their studies due to limited opportunities in their home country. However, such intentions can lead to the rejection of a student visa application. When there is a low indication of a strong intention to return home, applications are often rejected outright. To increase the chances of visa approval, international students should emphasise their eagerness to return to their home country after completing their studies. This can be demonstrated through the application form and during the visa interview.
Additionally, applicants should provide compelling statements and supporting documents regarding the ample job opportunities available in their home country. By showcasing the potential career prospects in their home country, applicants can strengthen their case for visa approval.
Insufficient Documentation
Having proper documentation is crucial for students who aspire to study in Canada. Insufficient or faulty documents significantly increase the risk of visa rejection. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that your documentation is comprehensive, accurate, and reliable to maximise your chances of a successful visa application.
Biometric Rejections
Failure to upload the required biometric information or submitting inaccurate biometrics can result in the rejection of a student visa application by the Canadian Embassy. It is strongly advised for students to ensure that they provide the correct and timely biometric data to facilitate a smoother process of visa approval.
