Close to 50,000 international students who received study permits for Canada in spring 2024 failed to attend their designated colleges and universities. Among them, Indian nationals comprised the largest group, accounting for 19,582 no-shows, according to government data cited by The Globe and Mail.
These non-compliant students represented 6.9% of the total number of international students tracked by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
International Student Compliance Regime
Canada’s International Student Compliance Regime, introduced in 2014, mandates educational institutions to report twice annually on student attendance and compliance with study permits. The system aims to identify fraudulent students and questionable institutions.
In March and April 2024, Canadian colleges and universities submitted compliance reports to the IRCC, covering students from 144 countries. The reports revealed significant non-compliance rates among international students.
Top Countries with High Non-Compliance Rates
The data highlighted a range of non-compliance rates among international students from various countries. While India topped the list with 19,582 no-shows, other notable countries included:
- The Philippines: 688 no-shows (2.2%)
- China: 4,279 no-shows (6.4%)
- Iran: 1,848 no-shows (11.6%)
- Rwanda: 802 no-shows, with a staggering rate of 48.1%.
Indian Students and Concerns Over Border Crossings
Nearly 20,000 Indian students — 5.4% of the total international students tracked — were reported as non-compliant with their study visas. Indian authorities are currently investigating potential links between Canadian colleges and entities in India suspected of aiding illegal border crossings into the United States.
Reports suggest that some students, instead of attending classes in Canada, unlawfully crossed into the US. However, many likely remained in Canada, working and seeking pathways to permanent residency.
Rising Asylum Claims and Systemic Concerns
According to Henry Lotin, a former federal economist and founder of Integrative Trade and Economics, there has been a record rise in international students claiming asylum in Canada. While only a small fraction of no-shows may have crossed into the US, Lotin emphasized that most aspire to work and settle in Canada.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller tightened regulations for international students in November 2024 to curb system abuse. Under new rules, institutions that fail to submit compliance reports could face suspension from accepting international students for up to a year.
Broader Issues of System Abuse
Renée LeBlanc Proctor, spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marc Miller, acknowledged the growing risks associated with temporary resident visas, including study permits. “What was once a low-risk temporary resident programme is now being assessed as higher-risk,” she stated.
The report also noted concerns over irregular crossings into the US facilitated by smuggling networks.
Data Discrepancies and Calls for Reform
The report flagged discrepancies in how Statistics Canada and IRCC track international student data. Statistics Canada reported over one million valid student visa holders in April 2024, while IRCC’s enrolment data suggested a much smaller number.
Henry Lotin highlighted this gap, noting that even more international students might be unaccounted for beyond those classified as no-shows.
Proposed Solutions to Address Fraud
Experts have called for measures to tackle fraud in the study permit system. Winnipeg immigration lawyer David Matas suggested allowing applicants to use only Canadian-regulated lawyers and consultants, which could help curb exploitation by unregulated foreign agents.
Lotin also recommended requiring students to pay tuition fees upfront to discourage system abuse.
The data, revealing close to 50,000 no-shows and additional unreported cases, underscores the need for improved oversight and transparency. As Canada grapples with abuse in its immigration system, experts and policymakers are pushing for reforms to ensure the integrity of the international student program.
