The Canadian government has introduced new measures to safeguard international students from fraudulent activities in the wake of a scandal earlier this year. A significant step involves post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) verifying every applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to prevent letter-of-acceptance fraud. This enhanced verification process will begin on December 1. Furthermore, starting in the fall semester of 2024, IRCC will adopt a “recognized institution” framework, prioritizing post-secondary DLIs that meet higher standards for international student services and support.
The move comes after a review by IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which identified cases of students and graduates who used fake documents to gain entry into Canada. Out of 103 cases reviewed, 63 were confirmed as genuine students, while 40 were not. The fraudulent activities primarily involved students from India, particularly Punjab, who arrived in Canada between 2017 and 2019, with some cases extending into 2020. The government’s objective is to ensure that international students in Canada receive the protection and support they deserve while cracking down on those seeking to exploit them for financial gain.
