Canada Refuses Record Number of Study, Work & Visitor Visas

A Record-Breaking Rejection Wave

Canada's once-welcoming immigration system is undergoing a dramatic change. In a shocking reversal, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rejected more than 2.36 million temporary resident visa applications in 2024, a record 50% refusal rate—compared to 35% in 2023. This marks the highest refusal rate since before the COVID-19 pandemic and has sent shockwaves through international applicant communities.

The wave of refusals spanned three key categories:

• Visitor Visas: 1.95 million refusals in 2024 (54% rejection rate, an increase from 40% in 2023).
• Study Permits: 290,317 refusals in 2024 (52% rejection rate, an increase from 38% in 2023).
• Work Permits: 115,549 refusals in 2024 (22% rejection rate, down marginally from 23% in 2023).

These increasing numbers align with a national plan to decrease temporary residents from 6.5% in 2023 to 5% of the population by 2026—as part of a larger initiative to alleviate strain on Canada's housing and healthcare networks.

Why the Refusals Have Increased

1. Population Control and Infrastructure Strain

Temporary residents have played a large role in recent population growth. They constituted 6.5% of Canada's population by 2023, overwhelming rental markets, public services, and healthcare systems. IRCC responded by enacting a hardline measure to reduce the proportion of temporary residents to 5% by 2026. Refusals of visas in 2024 directly flowed from this readjustment.

Visitor visas took the biggest hit, with administrators citing higher risk of overstays and insufficient proof of home country ties.

2.  Renewal of the International Student Program

International students—traditionally considered an important part of Canada's educational and economic system—have been disproportionately impacted by new policy initiatives.

In 2024, IRCC introduced a national maximum of 360,000 study permits, in addition to three overarching reforms:

• Recognized Institution Framework: Only highest-level Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are currently given priority processing.
• Fraud Prevention: The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) validation system, introduced in late 2023, identified almost 9,000 fraudulent applications by April 2024.
• Financial Barriers: New proof-of-funds requirements based on Statistics Canada's low-income cut-off (LICO) set a higher bar for applicants' financial security.

The consequence? A 52% refusal rate for study permits, an increase of 14% over the previous year—putting the aspirations of thousands on hold to study in Canada.

3. Visitor Visa Scrutiny Toughens

Visitor visa refusals hit 54%, as IRCC tightened the screws on suspected abuse of short-term visas. Typical reasons for refusal are:

• Lack of strong connections to the applicant's home country
• Unclear reasons for travel
• Suspected immigration intentions

According to a Firstpost report, in some months of 2024, refusals outmatched approvals, registering a dramatic policy turnaround from Canada's traditionally liberal stance.

4. Work Permit Applications: A Subtle Shift

Interestingly, there was a modest rise in work permit approvals, with the refusal rate declining slightly to 22%. What that indicates is a more nuanced strategy: while low-skilled, non-essential positions are vetted, Canada still wants to fill skill vacancies in key sectors such as construction, healthcare, and agriculture.

Unlike study permits, which were subject to tightened restrictions, work permit trends reflect a more strategic filtering process. In November 2024, new LMIA regulations were implemented to eliminate low-value positions while facilitating applications for positions that fill actual skill gaps.

Economic Implications: A Double-Edged Sword

Relieving Infrastructure Burden

Policy supporters say these reductions in immigration will take pressure off of Canada's pressured rental and healthcare systems. Vacancy rates for rentals hit an all-time low of 1.5% in 2023, as reported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which increased prices.

Fewer immigrants would help reduce demand in the short term, albeit critics say long-term answers lie in building homes and changing the system, not simply fewer individuals.

But At What Cost?

The reverse side is steep.

• International students — many of whom enter through study permits —  contribute over CAD $22 billion annually to the economy, employing 218,000 people, according to IRCC statistics.
• Tourism — formerly a CAD $102 billion sector pre-pandemic — is being set back by growing visitor visa denials.
• Labour shortages remain in critical areas, even with the slight decline in work permit rejections.

Immigration consultants and university leaders warn that Canada’s global reputation is at risk. “We’re sending a signal that Canada is closed for business,” said one consultant to ICEF Monitor.

Looking Ahead

The road ahead remains murky. The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, released in October 2024, confirms a continued cap on temporary resident programs. While public opinion is divided, economic realities—an aging population and talent shortages—may force policymakers to rethink.

Meanwhile, applicants should beef up their applications, including:

• Good financial records
• Evidence of commitment to return home
• Valid job or school offers
• Clean immigration and travel record

This is especially important for those applying for study permits, as financial proof and institutional credibility now face stricter scrutiny. Whether Canada’s current approach will lead to long-term stability or result in a lost opportunity on the international stage remains uncertain. For now, the doors are open — but only a few can pass through.