9. Why could a study permit application be refused?

When assessing study permit applications, visa officers determine whether an applicant is a bona fide student. This is determined through a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• The length of time the student plans to spend in Canada;
• The means by which the student will support themselves while studying;
• The student's obligations and ties to their home country;
• The likelihood of the applicant leaving Canada after their temporary status ends; and
• General compliance to government regulations.

An individual may be refused a study permit if the visa officer reviewing their file determines that they are not a bona fide student. Reasons for refusal can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The visa officer does not believe the applicant will leave Canada after their status ends. This can be determined because of lack of ties to the applicant's home country, the political/economic state of their country at the time of review, or if the applicant has overstayed previous temporary visas in any country;
• The visa officer does not feel the applicant's acceptance to a Canadian institution is genuine;
• The visa officer does not believe the applicant has the means to support themselves while studying in Canada.