Nearly 20,000 Indian students who were issued permits to study in Canada failed to turn up at their colleges, according to new government data for spring 2024. It has been worrying both the educational officials of Canada and India.
20,000 Indian students fail to enroll
The data, released by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), indicates that Indian students, despite their relatively high compliance rate of 91.1%, still have the largest absolute number of students among the others not meeting compliance.
According to Immigration news Canada report, of the 359,781 Indian students tracked, 19,582 were reported as non-compliant, with an additional 12,553 students’ status remaining unreported.
“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,” says Renée LeBlanc Proctor, speaking on behalf of Immigration Minister Marc Miller, as reported by Immigration News Canada.
IRCC Data highlights tracking and compliance challenges
This time coincides with when Canada has already begun to tighten rules on international students. Last November, the government announced it would be conducting stricter checks on colleges and universities to ensure they properly keep track of their international students.
The findings are generating discussion over how effective Canada’s monitoring system of international students is and how better verification processes in applications from regions with high non-compliance rates be developed.
Canada tightens rules on International student monitoring
Canadian educational institutions have had to operate under increased scrutiny with the new provision of up to a one-year suspension where student attendance and compliance are not reported accurately. Such measures portray the seriousness Canada holds towards safeguarding the integrity of its international education system as well as in defending the legitimate interests of students.
The Canadian government is now working to protect actual students and punish those who exploit study permits. Colleges that cannot keep a proper record of their students could be barred from receiving international students for up to one year.
