Canada Introduces New Measures to Safeguard International Students from Fraud

In response to recent cases of international students, particularly from India, using fake documents to gain admission to Canada, the Canadian government has unveiled a series of measures to reinforce the integrity of the International Student Program. The changes, set to go into effect on December 1, are designed to protect genuine students from admission fraud and provide a safer environment for those pursuing education in Canada.

Key Points:

1. Enhanced Verification Process: Post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) will be required to confirm each applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This verification process is a proactive step to prevent letter-of-acceptance fraud and ensure that study permits are granted solely based on authentic letters of acceptance. The new system will become operational from December 1, 2023.
2. Recognized Institution Framework: Beginning with the fall 2024 semester, IRCC will introduce a “recognized institution” framework, which will reward post-secondary DLIs that meet higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students. These institutions will receive priority processing of study permits for their applicants.
3. Protection Against Fraud: These measures are aimed at deterring unscrupulous individuals who have exploited legitimate students for financial gain by identifying fraudulent letters of acceptance promptly. The goal is to protect international students and weed out those attempting to take advantage of them.
4. Commitment to International Students: Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, emphasized that international students are talented and deserving of a positive experience while pursuing their studies in Canada. The government is committed to enhancing the International Student Program’s quality by safeguarding students from fraudulent activities.
5. IRCC Taskforce: IRCC established a taskforce in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to review the cases of students and graduates affected by fake documents. The taskforce’s objective was to prevent genuine students from facing deportation. Of the 103 cases reviewed by October 12, 63 were determined to be genuine students, while 40 were not.
6. Previous Cases: Earlier this year, several former students from India, particularly from Punjab, faced deportation from Canada due to the use of forged documents for admission. The fraudulent documentation, including fake letters of offer of admission, was detected by immigration authorities, leading to the initiation of deportation proceedings. Notably, an agent named Brijesh Mishra, associated with the Jalandhar-based counseling firm EMSA Education and Migration Services Australia, was charged and taken into custody in Canada.

The Canadian government’s proactive measures aim to protect the interests of genuine international students and maintain the credibility of the International Student Program while addressing the issue of admission fraud.

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