Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals that Indian students formed a significant portion of the nearly 50,000 international students who were reported as “no-shows” at Canadian colleges and universities in March and April 2024. Nearly 20,000 of the total were from India, representing 5.4 percent of all Indian students tracked. Non-compliant students overall made up 6.9 percent of all study permit holders.
Key Highlights:
- High No-Show Rate: Of the 50,000 international students reported as no-shows, 20,000 were from India, reflecting concerns over non-compliance with study permit regulations. The overall non-compliance rate for international students stood at 6.9 percent.
- Tracking and Compliance: The data was collected under the International Student Compliance Regime, which requires institutions to report student enrollment twice a year. The compliance rates varied by country, with students from Iran and Rwanda showing the highest non-compliance rates.
- Alleged Illegal Migration: Indian law enforcement agencies have launched investigations into the alleged role of Canadian colleges in facilitating illegal migration. Some Indian students reportedly used study permits as a means to enter Canada and illegally cross into the U.S.
- Recommendations for Reform: Experts suggest requiring international students to pay upfront fees to prevent abuse and fraud. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has introduced stricter rules and penalties for institutions that fail to comply with enrollment reporting. There are concerns about discrepancies between student visa statistics and enrollment data.
- Transparency Concerns: Immigration lawyers have called for improved data collection and greater transparency to address the issues, including restricting the use of foreign consultants in student visa applications.
