Canada Visa Crackdown Puts 47,000 Students at Risk

Canada’s immigration authorities have launched a major review of over 47,000 international students for potential visa non-compliance, reflecting the country’s efforts to tighten oversight of its growing education sector.

Aiesha Zafar, Assistant Deputy Minister for Migration Integrity at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), told the House of Commons that around 8% of the students under review were “potentially non-compliant,” including cases where students may not have attended classes as required by their study permits. The IRCC is collaborating with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to investigate and address any violations.

Officials emphasized that the review is complex, as attendance data from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) varies, and students may have legally changed schools, graduated, or taken approved leaves. The review aims to identify discrepancies and maintain the integrity of Canada’s international student program.

This crackdown follows earlier findings of nearly 50,000 students who obtained study permits but never enrolled, with the largest numbers from India, China, Nigeria, and Ghana. Institutions like Fanshawe College have implemented stricter screening procedures, including verification of academic credentials and mandatory English proficiency tests, to ensure compliance.

Authorities have stressed that the review is part of strengthening the system rather than a crisis, aiming to make Canada’s international student program sustainable, fair, and globally competitive.