Canada’s allure as a prime destination for international students stems from its reputable educational institutions, inclusive society, and promising prospects for post-graduation employment and permanent residency. Despite the contributions of international students to campus life nationwide, they have encountered significant hurdles within Canada’s International Student Program.

In an effort to fortify the program’s integrity and safeguard genuine students from fraudulent activities, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, unveiled a series of initiatives set to reinforce Canada’s International Student Program. These measures include the following:

• Commencing December 1, 2023, post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) must directly authenticate each applicant’s letter of acceptance with IRCC. This robust validation process aims to shield prospective students from acceptance letter fraud and prevent the recurrence of challenges faced by some students earlier this year due to fraudulent activities. It will also ensure the issuance of study permits solely based on authentic acceptance letters.
• By the fall semester of 2024, IRCC will introduce a “recognized institution” framework to benefit post-secondary DLIs that maintain higher standards in terms of services, support, and outcomes for international students. Such institutions will enjoy perks like priority processing of study permits for prospective students intending to enroll in their programs.
• In the upcoming months, IRCC will conduct a thorough evaluation of the criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and implement reforms aimed at aligning it with the demands of the Canadian job market, as well as regional and Francophone immigration objectives.

Recognizing the significant societal, cultural, and economic contributions of international students, Canada remains steadfast in addressing the challenges threatening the credibility of the International Student Program. These measures are a direct response to unscrupulous entities preying on genuine students for financial gain. By promptly identifying any fraudulent acceptance letters, we aim to commend institutions exhibiting robust support for international students by expediting their application processing. Moreover, we aim to enhance the selection and retention of students best suited to meet Canada’s economic needs and immigration goals.

These pivotal reforms represent the initial changes identified through the ongoing review of the International Student Program and the broader engagement initiative, “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.” Our collaborative efforts with institutions, provinces, territories, and organizations representing Canada’s colleges and universities underscore our commitment to curbing fraud and upholding the integrity of our immigration programs.