Study Permit Refusals

What does an immigration officer look for in a study permit application?

In order to be eligible to study in Canada on a study permit, prospective international

students must:
• have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada;
• prove that they have enough money to pay for:
o tuition fees,
o living expenses for themselves and any family members who come
with them to Canada, and
o return transportation for themselves and any family members who come
with them to Canada;
• be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of
Canada. A police certificate (or certificates) may be required;
• be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary; and
• satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of
the authorized stay.

If your study permit is refused, IRCC will provide a letter outlining the reasons for the
refusal. Some common reasons for refusals include:
• not convincing the immigration officer that your main intent of coming to Canada is
to study (called “purpose of study”)
• not convincing the immigration officer that you will leave Canada after you
complete your program
• insufficient proof of financial support for yourself and any family members

If your study permit application is rejected, you can consider the reasons for the
refusal and prepare a new application.

Always include a letter of explanation (“Additional Client Information” under “Optional

Documents” in the Document Checklist) to help the visa officer understand your
application. Use this letter to express:
• your reasons for studying – outline your study plan
• your means of financial support
• your plans for after you finish your program

Visa officers can only assess what is in the application, and will not make assumptions.
The applicant is responsible for providing all the necessary information.

Last updated December 1, 2020

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for most up-to-date information.
Caroline Lodge, RCIC # R509102
Common reasons for refusal, and how to avoid them

“Not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.”

A study permit is a temporary visa, which means that it has a validity period and an
expiration date. In your study permit application, you need to convince the visa officer
that you understand the difference between coming to Canada as a temporary resident,
and coming to Canada with the intent to stay permanently.

This does not mean that you cannot apply to extend your study permit, or stay
permanently, after you arrive in Canada.

The visa officer must believe that you will not stay in the country illegally after your
permit expires. Usually, this is a problem if you don’t demonstrate that you have good
reasons to want to return home, or if there are situations in your home country that would
make it difficult to return.

How to address this situation

The best way to address this concern is in a letter of explanation. Use this letter to explain
clearly what your plans are for returning home, including work/family obligations, and
plans for how you will use your new skills and education in your professional life.
Finances are always a strong support – if you have a job or business to return to, this is
more convincing. If you can get a letter from your employer, or indicate a date that you
will return to work, this will help your application. If you are not employed, provide a plan
for how you will use your new diploma or degree to start a job.

“Demonstrating ties to home country”

This also helps convince the visa officer that you have a reason to return home. People
who have responsibilities in their home country must return home to care for these, and
obviously can’t stay forever in a new country. Consider all of your connections to your
home country and the evidence that proves it.

How to address this situation

The best connections to your home are things like property and employment. Include all
information about any assets that require your attention. If you don’t have any property,
an apartment lease or car loan can be assets.

There are other connections to your home country that are also proof you will return
home. Are you an active member in a community organization? Do you care for aged
family members, or are you providing family support in any way? Show evidence of your
responsibilities, role and duties.

Last updated December 1, 2020

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for most up-to-date information.
Caroline Lodge, RCIC # R509102
“Not enough financial support for your stay”

When you submit a study permit application, you need to demonstrate that you have
enough money to pay for the trip to Canada, pay your tuition fees, and support yourself
and any accompanying family members while you’re studying. IRCC does not want you to
come to Canada and rely on government support while you are studying. You must prove
that you can pay rent and buy groceries in addition to paying your tuition fees.

How to address this situation

Carefully review the financial documents you submitted with your application. Provide the
conversion into CAD, if it’s not clear in your bank statements. Usually 6 months of
statements is sufficient.

You can prove your funds in different ways, such as:

• proof of a Canadian bank account in your name, if you have transferred money to
Canada
• proof of a student/education loan from a bank
• your bank statements for the past four months
• a bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
• proof you paid tuition and housing fees
• a letter from the person or school giving you money or
• proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a
Canadian-funded educational program

How your financial support is assessed

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-
documents.html#doc3

You are required to demonstrate financial sufficiency for only the first year of studies,
regardless of the length of your program. However, it should be clear that the source of
funds will still be available after one year.

“Base” amounts required

Student $10,000 for twelve-month period, prorated at $833 per month,

plus cost of tuition.
Spouse/common-law $4,000 for twelve-month period prorated at $333 per month.
partner/first family
member
Dependent $3,000 for twelve-month period per dependent child of any age,
child/subsequent prorated at $255 per month
family member

Last updated December 1, 2020

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for most up-to-date information.
Caroline Lodge, RCIC # R509102
“Purpose of study”

Sometimes officers will question why you chose your program of study, and whether your
intent to attend this program is “bona fide”, or whether you are just trying different ways
to come to Canada.

This can happen if the program of study is in a different field from your background, or if
it seems it won’t provide you with better credentials than you already have. For example,
if you have a Master’s degree and several years of professional experience, then why
would you leave your job, and travel to Canada to do a 1- or 2-year program?

How to address this situation

A letter of explanation is essential here – identify the exact aspects of the program that
will be of benefit to you professionally, and explain how this program will further your
career goals and improve your options for employment. Be clear and specific – imagine
the officer doesn’t believe you, and you need to convince that person!

Positive and Negative Factors

There are certain things a visa officer will look for in an application:

Positive factors
These can be positive factors assessing an application:
• country of usual residence is politically stable
• stable, well-paid employment (proof provided by employer)
• spouse and/or children not accompanying applicant
• good financial situation
• previous trips to Canada
• owning property in country of usual residence

Negative Factors
These can be negative aspects in assessing an application:
• chances of successful establishment in country of usual residence are poor
• poor financial situation
• low-paid employment, or unemployed
• no previous travel
• has previously been denied a visitor visa or study permit
• has been denied a visa by another country

Last updated December 1, 2020

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for most up-to-date information.
Caroline Lodge, RCIC # R509102
Remember, it is the job of an immigration officer to prevent people from entering and
staying in Canada without following the regulations. If there is any indication that you
may be using your study permit simply as a way to come to Canada, it may be refused.

If you decide to stay longer in Canada once you are here, that’s fine – the Canadian
government even encourages this. Once you have been approved to study in Canada,
you can apply to extend your study permit, or apply for a work permit when you complete
your program without having to leave the country. You can also apply for PR, if you meet
the criteria. However, those plans should be separate from this application.

You can visit IRCC’s Help Centre for more information on your application:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=023&top=4

Last updated December 1, 2020

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for most up-to-date information.
Caroline Lodge, RCIC # R509102