Nearly 50,000 international students failed to show up at Canadian DLIs in 2024

According to recent data from the Canadian government for spring 2024, nearly 50,000 international students granted study permits for higher education in Canada have been reported as “no-shows” by colleges and universities. Under the International Student Compliance Regime, the alarming statistics reveal significant non-compliance, particularly among students from various African and Middle Eastern countries, with Indian students accounting for a staggering 20,000 of those identified.

This number, representing 6.9% of all international students monitored by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has sparked serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of the country's compliance system for international learners. Reports submitted by Canadian institutions in March and April 2024 uncovered that tens of thousands of students failed to adhere to the terms of their study permits, while an additional 23,514 students—3.3% of the total—had their statuses remain unreported.

The compliance framework, which has been in place since 2014, mandates that designated learning institutions submit bi-annual reports on the enrollment status and attendance of international students. Recent developments have prompted the IRCC to implement stricter measures, particularly following a surge in non-compliance.

In response to these challenges, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced tougher rules in November 2023, including the suspension of non-compliant institutions for up to one year. The government is also enhancing monitoring efforts to better identify students who do not comply with regulations. “Canada is aware of increased exploitation of temporary resident visas, including student permits. This has escalated due to organized smuggling networks and global migration crises,” stated Renée LeBlanc Proctor, spokesperson for Minister Miller.

Growing Concerns Rise Amidst Student Compliance and Fraudulent Documents

In November 2023, amid rising concerns, Indian students—the largest group of international learners in Canada—received emails asking them to resubmit study permits, visas, and educational records—these notifications, which affected even students with valid visas expiring in two years, generated anxiety. In response to inquiries from Business Standard, IRCC indicated that such requests are a standard part of compliance procedures, not an unusual occurrence.

“Since 2015, the Canadian government has required most post-secondary designated learning institutions to report bi-annually on the enrollment status of their international students,” assured IRCC representatives. They clarified that compliance checks involve only designated institutions, although some students may need to provide documentation to verify their status.

Given India’s position as the largest source of international students in Canada, it is understandable that a greater number of requests would target Indian nationals. As of August 2024, there were 427,000 Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions.

As Canada grapples with these issues, robust reforms and comprehensive oversight to protect international students and uphold the integrity of the education system remain paramount.