Categories: News

Canada announces measures to protect international students against fraudulent agents

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Honorable Marc Miller, has unveiled a set of measures designed to enhance Canada’s International Student Program and safeguard authentic students from fraud.

According to the Minister, international students have encountered significant challenges within Canada’s International Student Program.

Advertisement

In June, in response to investigations involving fraudulent admissions letters, an IRCC task force was formed to collaborate with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in reviewing the cases of affected students and graduates. The primary objective of this collaborative effort was to prevent legitimate students from facing deportation from Canada.

Nairametrics learns that out of the 103 cases reviewed as of October 12, 2023, 63 were confirmed to be genuine students, while 40 were not.

Advertisement

This has led to the Minister announcing these new measures:

Starting from December 1, 2023, post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLI) will be mandated to directly verify each applicant’s letter of acceptance with IRCC.

Advertisement

This improved verification process aims to safeguard prospective students from fraudulent letters of acceptance and prevent issues similar to those encountered earlier this year due to fraud investigations.

This will ensure that study permits are only issued based on authentic letters of acceptance.

Advertisement

By the fall semester of 2024, IRCC will implement a “recognized institution” framework to provide benefits to post-secondary DLIs that maintain higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students.

These DLIs, for instance, will enjoy priority processing of study permits for students planning to attend their institutions.

Advertisement

In the upcoming months, IRCC will evaluate the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program criteria and initiate reforms to better align it with the demands of the Canadian labour market, as well as regional and Francophone immigration objectives.

What he said

The Minister emphasizing the importance of mitigating fraud in international student admissions, said:

Advertisement
  • “We must address challenges to the integrity of the International Student Program.
  • “Through these measures, we are taking action against nefarious actors who have preyed on genuine students for financial gain by identifying every fraudulent letter of acceptance soon after it is submitted.
  • “Institutions that demonstrate strong support for international students will be recognized and their applicants will move to the front of the line for processing, and we will be able to better select and retain those students.
  • “These important reforms mark the initial changes identified through the review of the International Student Program, as well as the broader engagement initiative, An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.
  • “This includes our ongoing work with institutions, provinces, territories, and organizations representing Canada’s colleges and universities to better detect fraud and uphold the integrity of our immigration programs”.
citynews

Recent Posts

Tinubu promotes Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede to Lt Gen

President Bola Tinubu has promoted the acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede to the…

6 hours ago

Digital Transformation: Maida, Kekere-Ekun Speak At NCC’s Annual Workshop for Judges in Lagos

Welcome Address Delivered at the 2024 Edition of the Judges Workshop at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja,…

12 hours ago

Breaking: House Of Reps Finance Committee Visits FIRS

The House of Representatives Finance Committee has paid a working visit to the headquarters of…

14 hours ago

BREAKING: Tinubu govt drops treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters

  The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the treason charges brought against the…

17 hours ago

#USRoadToWhiteHouse2024: Trump-Harris polls remain tied in battleground states…

What to know about the end of the #USElection2024 campaign The most recent polling analysis…

17 hours ago

#USElection2024 Live Updates: Trump Vs Harris…Latest Results…Latest Polls

#US election 2024 Live Updates:  What you need to know about USelection2024 latest polls •…

18 hours ago