Foreign Student Visa Holders in Canada

"Many students, especially international ones, are left financially and emotionally devastated after discovering they have been deceived."

"Their families often invest substantial amounts to send them abroad for education, including tuition fees, living expenses and travel costs."

"If they do not enroll, these investments are lost, exacting a financial burden on the family." 

"Families also expect their children to secure high-paying jobs and then send funds back home. If they disappear, it can mean a loss of future income, adversely affecting the family's financial stability."

Stewart Lewis, National Post

Security officers stand guard outside the Directorate of Enforcement offices in New Delhi on March 22, 2024. An investigation by Indian officials with the directorate alleges that more than 260 Canadian colleges and universities might be linked to a scheme of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-U.S. border. Some experts say that if the claims are true, they reveal the 'staggering' extent to which Canada's immigration system can be exploited. (Altaf Qadri/The Associated Press)

Concerns have been raised in Canada relating to immigration fraud through the country's student visa system. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released data revealing that in March and April of 2024, 50,000 international students -- of that total number, 20,000 were of Indian origin -- entered Canada on student visas, but failed to appear at their classes. 

Some student visa holders appear to have used their visas for entry to Canada with the intention of working, rather than studying, with a view to obtaining landed immigrant status in due time. Others have been victimized by unscrupulous agents with the promises of access to jobs or permanent residency. There are also fake colleges, considered to be unaccredited 'diploma mills' who operate through exploitation loopholes in the education system. Their tactics meant to attract students are deceptive.

 

Indian students lured by fake colleges are a danger to the trusting students and their families and a blot on Canada's reputation as a reliable and premier destination for furthering legitimate academic aspirations. Lack of accreditation translates to inferior learning experiences and an eventual diploma that is not worth the paper it's printed on.

 

The situation is dire for many reasons, not least because it takes advantage of people whose legitimate concerns are to advance their futures. International students who have been victims of an academic racket, denied their opportunity to acquire an education in the fields of endeavour they aspire to. With the use of misleading advertising, quasi-colleges promise quality post-graduate outcomes with jobs to match the acquired qualifications.

 

When the qualifications are sub-par on a scale with the lack of accreditation, there are no hoped-for positions of employment falling into the expectant laps of 'graduates'. As for the vulnerability of the country's visa system to abuse, Canada itself does not have basic safeguards in place, as many other countries to, requiring prepaid tuition fee payments. Paving the way for those portraying themselves as students to enter Canada and then illegally go underground.

 

Of the 20,000 Indian students who failed to report to the universities they registered to attend, the majority have remained in Canada, working at mostly menial jobs, awaiting the opportunity to seek permanent residency, while supporting themselves with work in restaurants or as delivery couriers. A smaller number use their opportunity of residence in Canada to enter the United States illegally.

 

Potential links between Canadian colleges and illegal migration networks in India are under active investigation by Indian authorities. Multi-city searches across India have been conducted by India's Enforcement Directorate for the purpose of gathering evidence in relation to human trafficking and money laundering.

 

Incriminating documents and digital devices, along with frozen bank deposits have been uncovered by the Enforcement Directorate service leading to the discovery of possible collusion between Canadian colleges and entities in India. This has resulted in a growing movement calling for stricter regulations and improved monitoring systems, to potentially put a stop to the illegal entries through student visas.

 

 Canada's reputation as a premier education destination could well be restored through adherence to improved regulations.