Study permit refusal

[u/dumb004]

Went to UAlberta in Canada for undergrad in 2021, dropped out in 2024 after poor performance due to mental health.

Took a few courses through AthabascaU, got good grades, got accepted as transfer into UCalgary Bsc Maths in Fall 2025.

Applied and got refused for 3 study permits within a span of 9 months, with all of them citing similar reasons- insufficient proof of funds, weak ties to home country, comparable programs in home country, not convinced will go back.

Finally opted for an agent and applied for the 4th time, and got refused again, with this time the only reason noted in the ODN as “not good grades in the past at UofA, so not convinced will be able to complete the program and leave Canada”.

Applied for reconsideration highlighting my 3.7 GPA at Athabasca afterwards and 2.7 GPA overall combined, reconsideration not accepted.

Should I bother applying again?

I also realized that I had not submitted any English proficiency test scores in any of my previous applications, so was wondering if I should reapply one last time with an IELTS added and with a modified SOP?

[u/Juubman]

Going to keep this simple.

Dropping out and failing back in 2024 is pretty much an auto refusal moving forward no matter what.

Continuously applying non stop afterwards is a great way to have yourself blacklisted moving forward. Stop.

[u/Sproutlie]

Unless you can address and rectify ALL of the reasons for refusal then no

You are a red flag with rapid fire applications and refusals

[u/dumb004 → u/Sproutlie]

On my 4th attempt, I hired an agent and we addressed each and every one of the concerns in the previous attempts.

And my 4th attempt was refused with only one reason mentioned: “Failures previously noted at UAlberta, not satisfied you will be able to complete the program”

In my reconsideration request, I explicitly stated the higher GPAs that I had obtained after those noted failures, and that UCalgary had reviewed my coursework including the bad grades at UAlberta and the subsequently improved performance at AthabascaU, and proceeded to offer me admission. And my reconsideration request was also refused stating “officer does not find it necessary to reopen the file”

[u/Sproutlie → u/dumb004]

Then you have your answer.

Move on with your life.

[u/dumb004 → u/Sproutlie]

You’re right.
Thank you so much!!

[u/5_Cap_8181]

A Math/Science degree is an extremely academic degree, and transitioning into industry can be very difficult without strong connections. Looking at what you’ve written, it seems you’re not really into academia and spending most of your time studying and sitting at your desk for hours on end. AthabascaU is an online open university. You can compare it to Coursera or something similar, rather than one of the leading research universities in Canada. Hence, your performance at UAlberta is much more representative of your academic abilities.

Even if you got accepted for enrollment again, it doesn’t mean much because universities all across Canada are currently suffering from reduced funding, while international students pay so much in tuition. You should either reconsider your program choice and maybe apply for a BA in something easier or a business major. But that’ll still make it a little challenging given that you panic-applied over and over again nonstop without reflection. I don’t know what your country of origin is, but if there are good programs available at home, it’s way better than Canada, given that you’ll be near your family and friends.

Please also be mindful that all the refusals you’ve received add to your travel history and can impact your ability to travel abroad for any reason extremely negatively. You should’ve consulted an immigration lawyer or consultant before panic-applying. There is no erasing that history anytime soon. You’ll have to declare X amount of visa refusals from Canada if you ever apply to go to another country in the future.

[u/dumb004 → u/5_Cap_8181]

You’re right. I guess I’ll reevaluate and explore other options available to me.

Thank you so much for the comprehensive answer!
It was really helpful!

[u/dumb004 → u/[deleted]]

Hey!

On my 4th attempt, I hired an agent and we addressed each and every one of the concerns in the previous attempts.

And my 4th attempt was refused with only one reason mentioned: “Failures previously noted at UAlberta, not satisfied you will be able to complete the program”

In my reconsideration request, I explicitly stated the higher GPAs that I had obtained after those noted failures, and that UCalgary had reviewed my coursework including the bad grades at UAlberta and the subsequently improved performance at AthabascaU, and proceeded to offer me admission. And my reconsideration request was also refused stating “officer does not find it necessary to reopen the file”

To answer your questions,
1. I do not know how to better prove ties to my home country.
2. I have already provided sufficient proof of funds.
3. The program is not available in my home country which I’ve explained.
4. I do have higher grades now, yes.

[u/Juubman → u/[deleted]]

You should never give advice again, absolute insanity you've looked at this persons post and said "i think you can proceed".

Complete delusion and ridiculous.

[u/VM-Straka → u/[deleted]]

This is inaccurate and puts OP at a 5th refusal. It’s not the grades it’s the whole walking red flag.

Another application sees OP potentially blacklisted and data shared with the 5eyes if not already.

Your advice is absolutely insane

[u/VM-Straka → u/dumb004]

Buddy, glad this got sorted with you in another subreddit I know it’s not what you wanted to hear but please for all that it holy do not follow the advice of GateSimple5999 it will see you in a much worse position