Reasons Why Study Permit Applications Get Refused

June 21, 2021

Many students around the world chose Canada as their study destination. According to Canadian immigration officials, about 30 percent of all study permit applications are refused. That is over a 100,000 students who have their student visas refused after being admitted into a Canadian school. Often it might seem like applying yourself or using an agent is enough but the benefits of having a Canadian immigration lawyer review and perfect your application has great value in helping you through the process, creating your strongest application possible, saving you money, and ensuring you are prepared for the next steps on your immigration path.

Managing the documentation required to obtain a Canadian visa can be quite challenging. Getting approved for a student visa can be even more difficult than obtaining acceptance from a Canadian university or college.

Common reasons for study permit refusal are as follows.

1. Failure to show sufficient financial support

Although it's tempting to want to submit minimal financial support (and you may even be advised by an agent to do so), demonstrating a strong financial position increases immigration Canada's confidence that you will be able to support yourself throughout your studies, and ultimately increase your chances of getting your visa approved. Because you show a strong financial position does not mean you have to spend that money in Canada but it does show that you will be able to support your studies in Canada. Further, it is important to show where and how your finances were accumulated. At a minimum expect to show proof of your ability to pay your tuition fee and at least an additional CAD$10,000 to cover living costs. BorderPass can help you perfect the amount you should show based on your personal situation.

2. Failure to show you are a genuine student

It is critical to prove to Immigration Canada that studying in Canada is logical pertaining to your personal situation. In other words, you must show that your Canadian education is a logical step towards achieving your career goals. Although studying in Canada is a highly effective pathway to Canadian residency, you still must convince the immigration officer reviewing your application that you are a genuine student and your academic history, interests, and past work experience align with your Canadian study program. Even things like your age and when you most recently were a student can impact your visa approval. An immigration lawyer can ensure you illustrate a highly compelling and logical study plan, drastically increasing your chances of your visa being approved.

3. Failure to show Letter of Acceptance or believe that Letter of Acceptance is false

You can be rejected for failure to include your letter of acceptance (LOA) or because immigration Canada questions whether the letter of acceptance is authentic (it must be from a Canadian host school on the designated learning institutions list). Unfortunately there is a high rate of submission of false documents here. Using a lawyer can increase Immigration Canada's confidence in your documents.

4. Failure to show you will return home after your studies

Immigration Canada is providing you with a temporary visa which means you must leave once your authorized time expires. To show immigration officers you will comply with your temporary visa, you must show you have significant ties to your home country, and that returning to your home country is a part of your logical study plan. Things such as your travel and visa history, where your family is located, and common travel practices within your region can impact your visa decision. Providing full information with sufficient explanations and history is critical to your visa application. As your study permit is a temporary visa, which means that it has a validity period and an expiration date, you need to convince the visa officer that you will leave the country when your study permit expires.

That does not mean that you cannot apply to extend your study permit, or stay permanently. In fact, there are many programs designed by the government to help students stay and work in Canada following their studies, or transition to permanent residence.

What it means is that the visa officer has to trust that you will not stay in the country illegally when you are out of status. Usually, this is a problem if you don’t demonstrate that you have good reasons to want to return home.

5. Failure to provide completed forms and upload all necessary identity and financial documents

Immigration Canada requests a large amount of information to confirm both your identity and admissibility to Canada. If for any reason your application is incomplete or provides the wrong documents, Immigration Canada is likely to reject your application. Sometimes these omissions are not obvious and that is why legal review has great value.

There are good reasons to have an immigration lawyer review your student visa application. If you have been refused, you can book an online consultation from BorderPass and we are here to help. If you are starting the process BorderPass can guide you.‍

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