Canada Introduces Safeguards for International Students Against Deceptive Agents

The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Honorable Marc Miller, has recently unveiled a comprehensive set of measures aimed at enhancing Canada’s International Student Program and protecting legitimate students from the perils of fraud.

The objective is to ensure the integrity of the program and address the challenges international students have faced.

In response to investigations concerning fraudulent admissions letters, an IRCC task force was established in June, collaborating with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to review the cases of affected students and graduates. The primary goal of this collaborative effort was to prevent legitimate students from being subject to deportation from Canada.

As of October 12, 2023, out of the 103 cases reviewed, 63 were verified as genuine students, while 40 were found to be not. These findings have prompted the introduction of new measures by the Minister to safeguard the interests of international students.

One of the key measures is the mandatory direct verification of each applicant’s letter of acceptance with IRCC by post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLI) starting from December 1, 2023. This enhanced verification process aims to protect prospective students from fraudulent letters of acceptance, thus avoiding issues similar to those encountered earlier this year due to fraud investigations. The objective is to ensure that study permits are only issued based on authentic letters of acceptance.

Another important reform is the introduction of a “recognized institution” framework by the fall semester of 2024. This framework will provide benefits to post-secondary DLIs that maintain higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students. These designated institutions will enjoy priority processing of study permits for students planning to attend their institutions.

In the coming months, IRCC will also evaluate the criteria of the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and initiate reforms to better align it with the demands of the Canadian labor market, regional immigration objectives, and the goals of Francophone immigration.

Minister Marc Miller underscored the significance of addressing fraudulent activities in international student admissions. He stated, “We must address challenges to the integrity of the International Student Program. Through these measures, we are taking action against nefarious actors who have preyed on genuine students for financial gain by identifying every fraudulent letter of acceptance soon after it is submitted.” He further noted, “Institutions that demonstrate strong support for international students will be recognized, and their applicants will move to the front of the line for processing, and we will be able to better select and retain those students.”

These measures represent the initial changes identified through the review of the International Student Program and align with the broader engagement initiative known as “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.” This initiative includes ongoing collaboration with institutions, provinces, territories, and organizations representing Canada’s colleges and universities to enhance fraud detection and uphold the integrity of immigration programs.

In conclusion, these measures signify Canada’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of international students and ensuring the integrity of its International Student Program. By addressing the challenges posed by fraudulent admissions, the government aims to provide genuine students with a secure and supportive environment for pursuing their education in Canada. These reforms are part of a broader effort to shape Canada’s immigration system for the future, making it more responsive to the needs of both international students and the Canadian labor market.