Canada’s Immigration Department Investigates Over 47,000 International Students for Visa Violations
Canada’s immigration department is currently reviewing over 47,000 international students for potential visa violations, signaling a significant increase in scrutiny of the country’s growing education system. This move comes as part of broader efforts to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and maintain the integrity of the student visa program.
Aiesha Zafar, assistant deputy minister for migration integrity at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), provided testimony to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. According to Zafar, approximately 8% of international students reviewed were “potentially non-compliant,” meaning they may not have been attending classes as required by their study permits.
“The total number of students we asked for compliance information from results in potentially 47,175. We have not yet determined whether they are fully non-compliant; these are initial results provided to us by institutions,” Zafar explained. She added that IRCC collaborates with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to investigate and remove individuals who violate visa conditions.
Complexity of Determining Non-Compliance
Determining whether students are truly non-compliant is a complex process, as schools report attendance data at different times, and some students may legally change institutions, graduate, or take authorized leave. This variability makes it challenging to assess compliance accurately.
Maria Mathai, founder of M.M Advisory Services, emphasized that portraying the 47,000 figure as a “crisis” overlooks the broader context. She noted that front-end Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) screening now blocks thousands of applicants who would have entered before, and ongoing oversight is addressing legacy issues. According to Mathai, the 47,000 non-compliance cases represent a backlog, which she sees as evidence that fraud detection is improving, not deteriorating.
Mathai also highlighted that the system is evolving. Ontario, which has the largest share of foreign students, previously sent most of its PALs to colleges with higher default rates. With new federal limits on study permits, provinces are being pushed to adapt entry practices based on evidence and learning.
Strengthening Compliance Measures
Canada’s international student compliance regime, introduced in 2014, relies on twice-yearly reports from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). New rules now allow the suspension of non-reporting schools for up to a year, as part of a wider effort to curb visa abuse.
The challenge of ensuring compliance has been longstanding. Earlier this year, reports revealed nearly 50,000 “no-shows”—students who obtained study permits but never enrolled. The largest share of these cases came from India, followed by China, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Pranav Rathi, associate director of international recruitment at Fanshawe College, stated that stricter screening is already underway. He mentioned that each application is carefully reviewed, and checks are conducted for aggregate scores, backlogs, and the authenticity of mark sheets. It is mandatory for students to provide English language tests approved by IRCC, and the college also verifies English proficiency through IELTS or equivalent test reports.
Rathi also pointed out that allowing students to switch institutions after receiving study permits has exacerbated the problem. He stressed the importance of ensuring that representatives are transparent, well-trained, and follow ethical recruitment practices aligned with institutional and regulatory standards.
Political Attention and Future Directions
The issue has drawn political attention in Ottawa as well. Conestoga College president John Tibbits, when questioned in Parliament about high foreign student numbers and alleged strain on housing and public services, emphasized the college’s commitment to supporting local economies.
“Looking ahead, we believe this is the time to stabilize the system to build an international student program that is sustainable, fair, globally competitive, and focused on Canada’s economic priorities,” he told lawmakers.
As Canada continues to refine its approach to managing international student compliance, the focus remains on balancing the need for a robust education system with the responsibility of ensuring adherence to immigration laws. The ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the program while supporting the country’s economic and social goals.