Canada Asks Indian Students to Resubmit Visa & Documents

Indian students in Canada have recently received emails from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requesting the resubmission of essential documents, including study permits, visas, and educational records. These notifications have caused concern among students, particularly those with valid visas extending up to two more years.

In response to these concerns, IRCC clarified that such requests are part of standard procedures and not a new practice. Since 2015, the Canadian government has mandated most post-secondary designated learning institutions to report biannually on the enrollment status of their international students through the international student compliance regime. While regular compliance activities typically involve only designated learning institutions, in certain cases, students may be asked to provide documentation to confirm their enrollment status, such as current or past transcripts.

Regarding the focus on Indian students, IRCC noted that since India is the top source of international students in Canada, it is reasonably likely that a higher number of such requests were sent to Indian nationals. As of August 2024, there were 427,000 Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions.

To maintain their study permit status in Canada, students must adhere to several rules, including:

• Enrollment at a designated learning institution (DLI).
• Active pursuit of studies by attending classes and making progress in their program.
• Enrollment on a full-time or part-time basis during academic semesters, excluding scheduled breaks.
• Avoidance of unauthorized leaves exceeding 150 days.
• Application for a new study permit when changing post-secondary schools.
• Cessation of studies if they no longer meet student requirements.
• Departure from Canada upon permit expiration.

Additional conditions may apply, such as compliance with work authorization rules if employed on or off-campus, adherence to travel limitations within Canada as specified on the permit, and undergoing medical checks if required.

Students are advised to comply promptly with IRCC's requests to ensure their immigration status remains in good standing. For further information or clarification, students should contact IRCC directly or consult their educational institution's international student services.