Nearly 50,000 international students granted study permits in Canada have been classified as “no-shows” by their respective universities and colleges, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data from spring 2024. The non-compliance rate, representing 6.9% of all international students tracked by IRCC, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Canada’s international student compliance system.
Among the 10 countries with the highest number of non-compliant students, India leads with 19,582 no-shows, followed by China with 4,279 and Nigeria with 3,902. Other countries with significant non-compliance rates include Ghana, Rwanda, Iran, and the Philippines, highlighting widespread issues across multiple regions.
The International Student Compliance Regime, introduced in 2014, requires designated learning institutions to report biannually on whether international students are enrolled and attending classes. In March and April 2024, compliance reports from Canadian institutions revealed tens of thousands of students failing to meet the conditions of their study permits.
Additionally, the status of 23,514 students (3.3% of the total) remains unreported, raising questions about the accountability of educational institutions and the efficiency of Canada’s compliance framework.
Experts attribute non-compliance to various factors, including organized smuggling networks and misuse of study permits. Reports indicate that some students, particularly from India, may exploit Canadian study permits as a pathway to illegally cross into the United States.
Renée LeBlanc Proctor, spokesperson for Canada’s Immigration Minister, commented, “Canada is aware of increased exploitation of temporary resident visas, including study permits, due to organized smuggling networks and global migration crises.”
Data Highlights
– India: 19,582 no-shows
– China: 4,279 no-shows
– Nigeria: 3,902 no-shows
– Rwanda: 48.1% non-compliance rate
– Ghana: 31.1% non-compliance rate
While Statistics Canada estimates over one million valid study permit holders in the country, only 644,349 are confirmed as compliant students, underscoring a significant discrepancy.
IRCC has increased monitoring efforts to identify non-compliant students and ensure institutions meet reporting requirements. The government continues to evaluate policies to address exploitation and uphold Canada’s reputation as a global education destination.
As debates around the issue intensify, stakeholders urge stricter enforcement and a review of the current compliance framework to safeguard the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
