Canada's visa rejection rates reach record high

Canada has seen a record number of visa rejections in 2024. A total of 2.36 million temporary resident visa applications were denied. This results in a rejection rate of 50%, significantly up from 35% the year before. The government is implementing stricter policies to reduce the number of temporary residents. The highest rejection rates are found in visitor visas, where 1.95 million applications were denied. This amounts to a 54% rejection rate. The government has increased efforts to prevent overstays, making it harder for visitors to gain entry. International students are also affected by these changes. Approvals for study permits have dropped, as 52% of applications were rejected due to new eligibility requirements and stricter financial proof. There has also been a crackdown on fraudulent applications. Work permits had a lower refusal rate of 22%. This suggests a more focused strategy to balance the needs of the labor market with immigration control. While reducing the number of temporary residents could ease pressure on housing and healthcare, it also raises concerns for industries that depend on international talent. Sectors like education, which earn about CAD $22 billion each year from foreign students, may face financial challenges. Additionally, industries such as healthcare and construction could struggle with labor shortages due to fewer skilled foreign workers. As Canada moves ahead with its immigration strategy for 2025-2027, the long-term effects of these visa rejections will be closely watched.