Canada’s international education sector has long been a gateway for opportunity, both for students chasing academic dreams and for institutions welcoming global diversity. But beneath that promise, the system has faced cracks that can no longer be ignored. As the country tightens oversight on visa violations and strengthens its immigration framework, a new chapter is unfolding: one focused on integrity, fairness, and accountability.
Recent testimony from top immigration officials sheds light on a problem that’s often discussed in quiet tones — international students who arrive but never attend classes, colleges under scrutiny, and visa policies that are evolving faster than ever before. The following analysis dives deep into what’s happening, why it matters, and how these changes are reshaping visa potentials for international students and institutions across Canada.
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Understanding the Scale of Visa Violations in Canada
Aiesha Zafar, the assistant deputy minister for migration integrity at IRCC, recently testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration regarding international students and visa compliance. She revealed that approximately 8% of the international students reviewed were potentially non-compliant, indicating they might not be attending classes as required by the conditions of their study visas.
Zafar explained that this figure translates to roughly 47,000 students based on the total number for whom compliance data was requested. However, she emphasised that this number is preliminary and has not yet been confirmed as fully non-compliant, noting that data reporting by institutions varies and students often change schools, graduate, or take approved leaves, complicating the assessment.
This figure, though still under review, has triggered a fresh look into visa violations and how visa eligibility assessments can better ensure that genuine students, not fraudulent applicants, enter Canada’s education system.
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How Visa Policies Are Strengthening Compliance Checks
Zafar further clarified that IRCC routinely shares all collected compliance data with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which holds responsibility for locating and removing non-compliant visa holders. She highlighted that CBSA maintains inland investigation teams, which oversee enforcement action within Canada.
When questioned by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner about how these students are monitored and possibly removed if they violate visa terms, Zafar reaffirmed that CBSA’s involvement is central to tracking such cases and executing removals.
Behind the headlines, what’s emerging is a much more structured system where visa policies are not just about granting entry, but ensuring accountability. The collaboration between IRCC and CBSA signals a united effort to curb visa violations before they escalate; a move which aims to protect both the integrity of the system and the reputation of international education in Canada.
Is It a Backlog or a Sign of Deeper Visa Violations?
The figure of approximately 47,000 cases has been characterised as a backlog, but many experts interpret it differently. Maria Mathai, founder of M.M. Advisory Services, which advises Canadian universities aiming to attract students from South Asia, argued that labelling this number as a crisis overlooks the broader context.
Mathai noted that recent changes, like the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) screening at the front end, have effectively blocked many prospective students from entering Canada in the first place. Additionally, ongoing oversight is catching issues related to older cases, which demonstrates a strengthening of fraud detection measures and an overall enhancement of Canadian immigration standards.
She pointed out that past shortcomings, such as regions like Ontario, which hosts the highest share of international students, often directed PALs toward colleges with historically higher default or non-compliance rates, contributing to compliance challenges.
This, she argues, is not simply about visa violations, it’s about recalibrating the system to better identify authentic visa potentials and create a fairer process for all.
The New Era of Balanced Visa Policies
However, Mathai emphasised that new policies aim to address these imbalances. She explained that IRCC has imposed strict provincial caps on the number of study permits issued per region, prompting institutions to adjust their entry practices based on data and experience.
This approach is intended to create a more balanced and sustainable system that aligns with Canada’s economic and immigration priorities. She saw this as a positive development, signalling that Canada’s immigration system is actively evolving to adapt to current realities, rather than collapsing under pressure.
What’s clear is that Canada’s visa policies are now less about volume and more about value. The focus has shifted from how many students can be admitted to how well those students integrate, comply, and contribute. It’s a shift that favours long-term trust over short-term gains, and it’s a much-needed reset.
Visa Eligibility Assessments: Raising the Bar for Institutions
Canada’s international student compliance regime, established in 2014, plays a key role in identifying students who may not be genuinely eligible or attending as required. The system mandates twice-yearly compliance reporting from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), universities, colleges, and institutes authorised to host international students.
Although the IRCC’s 2024 report indicates there are currently no penalties for DLIs that fail to report data, new rules have been introduced allowing for the suspension of institutions for up to one year if they do not comply. This framework aims to ensure transparency and accountability.
Here, the focus on visa eligibility assessments becomes crucial. By verifying student authenticity earlier in the process, institutions can reduce the risk of admitting individuals who might later fall into visa violations. It’s a proactive rather than reactive approach.
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The Growing Concern Over “No-Show” Students and Visa Violations
The issue of international students not appearing for classes — dubbed “no-shows” — is not new. Recent reports indicate that nearly 50,000 students failed to enrol at their institutions in spring 2024. The breakdown included 4,279 Chinese students, 3,902 Nigerian students, 2,712 students from Ghana, and the largest share, 19,582, from India.
These figures suggest that immigration fraud, particularly originating from India, remains a concern. During her September 23 committee appearance, Zafar identified India as one of the top countries associated with non-compliance and fraud cases.
Additionally, more than a quarter of international students seeking asylum in Canada originate from India and Nigeria, further illustrating ongoing challenges with visa integrity and enforcement.
Each statistic here represents more than a number. It represents a gap in visa eligibility assessments and an urgent reminder that genuine students can be overshadowed by fraudulent actors. The key challenge ahead is ensuring that visa policies not only detect violations but also preserve access for those who deserve it.
How Colleges Are Adapting to Curb Visa Violations
Within this context, institutions like Fanshawe College in Ontario have adopted rigorous application review processes for Indian students. Pranav Rathi, the college’s associate director of international recruitment, shared that approximately 20% of Indian applications are declined after thorough evaluation, which includes assessment of academic records, application backlog, and verification of credentials through recognised authorities such as the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The college also requires standardised English language test scores, like IELTS, to ensure students are prepared for academic work in Canada. Rathi suggested that earlier systemic issues, such as students changing institutions after receiving a study permit, have contributed to the misperception of non-compliance.
He emphasises that institutions now have a heightened responsibility to verify students’ credentials diligently and to work closely with education agents to ensure ethical recruitment practices. This level of institutional accountability marks a shift from reactive measures to preventive controls, reducing visa violations at the source.
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Visa Potentials and the Path Forward
The tightening of immigration rules and screening measures comes amid broader challenges faced by Canadian higher education institutions. Increasing refusal rates for study permits have led some universities and colleges to cut programs and research funding, reflecting economic pressures associated with rising visa denials.
Yet, within those challenges lie new visa potentials, opportunities for Canada to redefine how it attracts, supports, and retains international talent. For genuine students who meet the bar, the new structure offers a fairer, clearer path. For institutions, it’s a chance to rebuild trust with policymakers and the public alike.
In parallel, political scrutiny has intensified. Shortly after IRCC’s testimony on non-compliance, a federal committee hearing led by MP Michelle Rempel Garner questioned Conestoga College President John Tibbits regarding issues ranging from his $600,000 salary to allegations of “juicing” foreign student permits, amid concerns over strained healthcare, housing, and employment capacity in Ontario.
Tibbits defended the college’s approach, emphasising their focus on serving community needs and building a sustainable, fair, and competitive international student program aligned with Canada’s economic priorities. He expressed a desire to stabilise the system to ensure it benefits both international students and Canadian communities.
Overall, these developments reflect a comprehensive effort by Canada to strengthen its immigration and international education systems. While challenges persist, ranging from student compliance to systemic fraud, the emphasis on stricter screening, data sharing, and institutional accountability indicates a deliberate move toward greater robustness and integrity in Canada’s approach to international students.
The future of visa policies in Canada rests on a balance, welcoming those who meet the requirements, while ensuring visa eligibility assessments remain sharp enough to identify fraud. As Canada continues to adjust, the hope is clear: to create a transparent, fair, and secure pathway for international students who bring value, ambition, and diversity to its shores, without compromising the system’s integrity.
