A recent report has revealed that nearly 50,000 foreign students failed to enrol in their designated institutions after arriving in Canada, raising concerns about visa fraud and potential exploitation of the country’s immigration system.
According to data sourced from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the Globe and Mail, Indian students accounted for the largest share of untracked cases, with 19,582 failing to enrol. China followed with 4,279 students, while 3,902 Nigerian and 2,712 Ghanaian students were also recorded as missing from their institutions.
These figures, covering arrivals between March and April last year, represent 6.9 percent of the 717,539 international students monitored at the time. While 89.8 percent of students were confirmed to be compliant, the status of 23,514 remained unrecorded.
Concerns over visa fraud have intensified, as reports suggest some students were misled by fraudulent institutions, while others may have exploited Canada’s lenient reporting system to enter the country under the guise of education.
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A Times of India report highlighted the case of a 24-year-old Indian student who travelled to Canada believing he had been admitted to a university in Brampton, only to find that the institution was a small office with no classrooms. With no school to attend, he resorted to working at a gas station to survive.
Similarly, some students admitted to enrolling in low-cost community colleges solely to work in Canada.
“Many people from my region have done the same, so I followed suit. I know it’s illegal, but this was my only way in,” a 27-year-old from Gujarat told The Times of India.
Unlike the U.S. and Australia, Canada does not mandate international students to pay tuition before arrival. This loophole has made it easier for individuals to obtain study permits without the intention of attending school. In response, the Canadian government has tightened immigration policies, including capping study permits and restricting post-graduation work opportunities.
Authorities in India have launched investigations into possible links between Canadian colleges and illegal migration networks, as some missing students are suspected of crossing into the U.S. illegally rather than pursuing their education.
The issue arises as Canada reassesses its immigration policies amid growing concerns over housing, healthcare, and public services. With increasing scrutiny on international student enrolment, stakeholders await further policy changes aimed at curbing fraud and ensuring compliance within the system.
