In an effort to enhance the integrity of Canada‘s International Student Program, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has unveiled a series of measures that will be implemented progressively.
- The first measure, set to take effect before the end of the year, mandates that post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) confirm each applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). This “enhanced verification process” is designed to protect prospective students from fraudulent acceptance letters, ensuring that study permits are issued only based on genuine letters of acceptance.
- The second measure introduces a “recognized institution” framework that will provide benefits to post-secondary DLIs starting with the fall semester of 2024. This framework acknowledges institutions that offer higher standards of services, support, and outcomes for international students. Recognized DLIs will receive priority processing of study permits for applicants planning to attend their institutions.
- The third measure involves a review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to better align it with the needs of the Canadian labor market, regional goals, and Francophone immigration objectives. This review will commence in the coming months.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to improving the international student experience in Canada, strengthening student protections, and preventing abuses of the system. These changes come at a time when Canada has experienced a significant increase in international student enrollment, with over 800,000 international students in 2022.
This growth has not been accompanied by a corresponding expansion of student housing or increased student protections, leading to concerns about the student experience. Reports have highlighted issues such as students unable to secure suitable accommodation, fraudulent applications by agents, and over-enrollment by private colleges.
Stricter quality control mechanisms are seen as necessary to maintain Canada’s competitiveness as a study destination. A recent survey measuring student satisfaction with their study experiences in different countries found Canada trailing behind the US, UK, and Australia, indicating the need for improvements.
The link between international students and Canada’s immigration targets is also under scrutiny. The country has set ambitious immigration targets, and the pace of immigration has led to debates about its impact on the healthcare system and housing availability.
Canada’s international education sector contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for more than CDN$22 billion in economic activity annually and supporting over 200,000 jobs. As a result, it is essential to protect this vital sector.
Australia, another top destination for international students, is also implementing policies to enhance the integrity of its international education sector. These measures highlight the growing recognition at the government level of the importance of international education to national economies and immigration objectives.