Study permit refusals have been on the rise recently. A strong application can make a significant difference in the outcome of your study permit request. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers evaluate applications based on specific criteria, and a failure to address these adequately often leads to rejection. Below are the most common reasons for study permit refusals and ways to mitigate the risks:

Common Reasons for Study Permit Refusals

Lack of Funds Proof

Your study permit application may be refused if:

  • You do not demonstrate sufficient financial resources, or
  • You have the necessary funds but fail to provide proper documentation as proof.

To approve a study permit, IRCC requires applicants to show they can financially support themselves while in Canada, in addition to covering travel and tuition expenses.

For 2024, single applicants studying outside Quebec must show a minimum of $20,635 CAD to cover living expenses, excluding travel and tuition. This amount is based on 75% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). If you have dependents, the required amount will increase depending on the size of your family. Note that these financial thresholds are subject to annual increases.

Keep in mind that the presence of accompanying family members affects the financial requirements for international students. In 2024, the minimum required funds for students studying in Canada are:

  • 1 person: $20,635 CAD
  • 2 people: $25,690 CAD
  • 3 people: $31,583 CAD
  • 4 people: $38,346 CAD
  • 5 people: $43,492 CAD
  • 6 people: $49,051 CAD
  • 7 people: $54,611 CAD
  • For each additional family member beyond 7: Add $5,559 CAD

For international students planning to study in Quebec in 2024, the financial requirements are as follows, based on household composition (including the applicant):

  • One person under 18 years old: $7,541 CAD
  • One person 18 years or older: $15,078 CAD
  • Two people aged 18 or older: $22,115 CAD
  • Two people aged 18 or older with one child under 18: $24,773 CAD
  • Two people aged 18 or older with two children under 18: $26,737 CAD

Applicants must provide immigration officers with proof that they have these funds available.

How Can an Applicant Better Meet the Proof of Funds Requirement? 

The immigration officer ultimately decides whether the provided proof of funds is sufficient. To improve your chances of approval, you should anticipate potential concerns and ensure your evidence directly addresses them. Here’s how to handle common concerns:

Potential Officer Concern: Doubts About Future Funding

How to Address It: Provide additional financial documentation, such as:

  • Employment details or pay slips from your parents.
  • Bank account statements covering a relevant time period.
  • Evidence of your own current or past employment.

Potential Officer Concern: Insufficient Funds to Live and Study in Canada

How to Address It: Submit more than one of the following:

  • Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name.
  • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution.
  • Evidence of a student or education loan from a recognized bank.
  • Bank statements for the last several months showing adequate funds.

Potential Officer Concern: Funds Held in a Foreign Currency

How to Address It: Include one or more of the following:

  • A letter from a financial institution (Canadian or international) confirming the necessary funds are deposited in your name (especially important for currencies prone to fluctuations relative to the Canadian dollar).
  • A bank draft in a convertible currency for an amount equal to the required funds for your upcoming academic year.
  • A letter from your bank confirming the required funds are available, along with documentation from financial control authorities ensuring that you can export sufficient funds for your living expenses in Canada.

Insufficient Home Country Connections

Applicants must convince the immigration officer that they intend to leave Canada after completing their studies. This is typically demonstrated by showing strong ties to the applicant’s home country, making it likely they will return rather than stay in Canada beyond the validity of their temporary resident status.

To evaluate this, the immigration officer will consider both:

  • Ties to Canada and
  • Ties to the applicant’s home country.

Additionally, the officer will review broader economic and political factors that might affect the applicant’s ability or motivation to return home.

These factors may include:

  • Financial capability: Proof of funds for travel, such as an airplane ticket, a statement of bank assets, or sufficient money.
  • Legal capability: Documentation such as a valid passport, travel documents, or a visa that allows re-entry to the applicant’s home country.

How Can an Applicant Better Meet This Requirement? 

To better meet the requirement of demonstrating ties to Canada and your home country, consider submitting the following types of documentation:

Proof of Ties to Canada

Officers will look for evidence of a legitimate reason to study in Canada. This can be supported by:

  • An acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of your educational institution.

Proof of Ties to Your Home Country

Highlight your connection to your home country, especially through employment. If employed, provide:

  • An official letter of employment detailing your position and salary.
  • Recent pay slips as proof of ongoing employment.
  • A letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming your employment status and approval of leave for studies.

Weak or Missing Letter of Explanation 

Including a letter of explanation in your study permit application is optional but highly recommended. This document allows you to share your goals, motivations, and reasons for selecting your school, program, and Canada as your study destination.

A well-written letter can provide valuable context for the immigration officer, helping them understand your aspirations and the rationale behind your choices. While there isn’t a standard format, following these best practices can enhance your letter:

Letter Structure and Content

Introduction

  • Briefly describe the chosen school and program, including why you selected them.
  • Explain your decision to study in Canada.
  • Outline your future plans and how they align with your studies.

Personal Background

  • Share a concise overview of your family background (focus on aspects relevant to your application).
  • Highlight any family values or interests connected to your chosen course or degree.
  • Mention personal ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return after your studies.

Academic Background

  • Provide details of your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, awards, and certifications.
  • Emphasize elements that relate directly to your chosen program.

Professional Experience

  • Mention relevant work experience and how it connects to your academic pursuits.
  • Link this experience to your future career goals.

Reasons for Choosing Your School and Program

  • Expand on why you selected your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and program.
  • Show how this decision aligns with your academic and career path.

Goals and Aspirations

  • Discuss what you hope to achieve academically, personally, and professionally during your studies in Canada.
  • Explain how studying in Canada will help you achieve your long-term objectives.

Incomplete Application / Missing Documents 

If your study permit application is incomplete, IRCC will not process it. They will return the application to you, along with a request for the missing information.

Your application can also be returned if you fail to pay the required fees.

The following table outlines the minimum required documents and information for a study permit application. Keep in mind that additional documents may be requested based on your specific situation.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Proof of Acceptance at a Canadian Post-Secondary Institution

  • Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
  • Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

2. Proof of Identity

A valid passport or another travel document is required. Documents that are not accepted include:

  • Passports issued by Somalia
  • Non-machine-readable passports from the Czech Republic
  • Temporary passports from South Africa
  • Provisional passports from Venezuela

3. Proof of Funds

While a single document can suffice as proof of funds, you may need additional documentation depending on your situation. Examples include:

  • A Canadian bank account statement in your name (if you have transferred funds to Canada)
  • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution
  • Proof of a student or education loan from a bank
  • Bank statements from the last four months
  • A bank draft in convertible currency
  • Proof of paid tuition and housing fees
  • A letter from the person or school providing financial support
  • Proof of funding from within Canada, such as a scholarship or Canadian-funded program

4. Letter of Explanation (Optional)

At minimum, this letter should clarify your motivations and goals. It should address:

  • Why you want to study in Canada
  • Your understanding of your responsibilities as an international student

5. Medical Exam (Not Always Required)

A medical exam may be required if:

  • You plan to stay in Canada for over six months
  • You have recently been in a regulated country
  • You intend to work in a profession where public health must be protected

6. Custodian Declaration (For Minors Only)

If the applicant is a minor, the Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) must be completed. The custodian in Canada must sign the first page, while the parents or legal guardians in the home country must sign the second page.

7. Other Supporting Documents (If Requested by IRCC)

Check the relevant visa office instructions for your country or region to see if additional documentation is needed. For instance:

  • If you are not in your home country, you may need to prove your immigration status in the country you are currently residing in.

Schools Not Validating Letters of Admission

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

DLIs will have 10 calendar days to validate the LOA in the IRCC online portal. Each applicant’s specific deadline for validation will be shown in the portal.

If the DLI fails to validate the LOA within this timeframe, IRCC will consider the application incomplete and will return it to the applicant along with any processing fees.

Note that the validation must be completed by midnight on the deadline date, according to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For instance, if the LOA validation deadline is November 1, it must be completed by 11:59:59 p.m. on October 31 (UTC).

How Can Students Ensure Their LOAs Are Validated?

To ensure your LOA is validated on time, it’s important to follow up with your chosen DLI immediately after submitting your study permit application. Although DLIs are likely aware of the validation timelines, you can help by checking in regularly to ensure all steps are completed correctly and within the given timeframe.