According to a recent report by The Globe and Mail, nearly 50,000 international students were labeled as "non-compliant" during March and April 2024 by IRCC. These students, despite receiving study permits, did not enroll or attend the colleges and universities they were assigned to, making up 6.9% of the tracked international student population.
Countries with High Non-Compliance Rates
India recorded the highest number of non-compliant students, with nearly 20,000 individuals (5.4% of Indian permit holders). The highest non-compliance rates were seen in the following countries:
- Rwanda: 48.1% (802 out of 840 students)
- Democratic Republic of Congo: 34.8% (1,166 students)
- Ghana: 31.1% (2,712 students)
Additionally, Iran reported a notable 11.6% non-compliance rate, with 1,848 students not attending their programs. This raises concerns that some students may be seeking opportunities to stay in Canada for reasons other than education.
Possible Reasons and Concerns
Many of these students are believed to remain in Canada for work or to seek permanent residency instead of pursuing their studies. In some cases, there have been allegations of individuals crossing into the U.S. illegally. Concerns have also been raised about links between certain Canadian colleges and human trafficking networks, particularly in India, where investigations are ongoing.
Some experts have identified overseas agents as key contributors to these issues, calling for stronger regulations to restrict the involvement of unregulated consultants and agencies in the study permit process.
Government Measures
To address the issue, Immigration Minister Marc Miller introduced stricter rules in late 2024. Canadian institutions that fail to report on student compliance risk suspension from admitting international students for up to a year. Despite these changes, there are ongoing demands for improved tracking systems and enforcement to ensure the integrity of Canada’s international student programs.
