Canada Visas - Record Rejections Affect South Africans

In 2024, Canada rejected a record number temporary resident visas, including those for tourists, foreign workers and students, resulting in its highest-ever rejection rate.

Data obtained by the Toronto Star ,showed that more than 2,3 million 50 visas were rejected in 2024 compared with 1,8 million 35 in 2023. Around1,95 million 54 visitor visas were rejected, up from 40 in 2023.

In September 2024, Travel News reported that Canada was approving fewer tourist visas following government measures to reduce temporary residents who were blamed for housing shortages and high property prices.

Additionally, travel agents in South Africa have noticed that clients applying to visit family in Canada are facing more visa refusals.

I cant speak for the Canadian government, but it seems that people visiting family are encountering hurdles when it comes to getting visas for Canada, said Bridget Esterhuizen from 360 Degrees Travel. Her client was denied a visa after the issuing authorities did not believe her client provided sufficient evidence that they were going to return to South Africa.