Canada, a country that has long been a top choice for international students due to its top-notch educational institutions, welcoming environment, and chances for employment after graduation, has recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Numerous Indian students have fallen victim to everything from fake university letters to student visa fraud.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, unveiled a number of significant steps to address the issues with the International Student Program and ensure the safety of legitimate students.
“International students are gifted, intelligent, and worthy of a satisfying academic experience in Canada. Canada’s program for international students will be further enhanced by safeguarding students and removing those who attempt to exploit them. We want a foreign student’s time in Canada to have contributed to their goals and development, regardless of whether they return home or continue working after graduation, Miller said in a statement.
Significant Changes to International Student Programs
1. Enhanced Verification for Letter of Acceptance
Post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will have to check each applicant’s acceptance letter directly with IRCC as of December 1, 2023. The purpose of this comprehensive verification process is to shield prospective students from fraudulent acceptance letters and avoid the issues that some students encountered earlier this year as a result of fraud investigations. It will also guarantee that only when valid acceptance letters are submitted will study permits be granted.
2. “Recognized Institution” Framework
The IRCC is going to introduce a framework for “recognized institutions” by the fall of 2024. Post-secondary DLIs that excel in offering top-notch services, support, and outcomes for international students will profit from this framework. Applications for study permits from prospective students will be processed by these institutions first.
3. Reform of Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program’s requirements will be evaluated by the IRCC in the upcoming months in an effort to better match it with the demands of the Canadian labor market, as well as regional and Francophone immigration objectives.
Protecting Foreign Students for a Better Future
Minister Miller emphasized the important economic, social, and cultural contributions that foreign students have made to Canada. The announced changes target dishonest people who use legitimate students as financial tools by swiftly spotting phony acceptance letters. Reputable schools that show a great commitment to accepting international students will be given special consideration and will have their applications processed more quickly. With these modifications, Canada will be able to choose and keep students who are most likely to fulfill its immigration and economic goals.
The aforementioned measures signify the preliminary phase of modifications that were detected throughout the assessment of the International Student Program and the wider involvement endeavor, “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.” In order to improve fraud detection and uphold the integrity of immigration programs, this collaborative effort entails continuing cooperation with educational institutions, provinces, territories, and organizations representing Canadian colleges and universities.
