In recent times, there has been a significant development in the way Canada is verifying the authenticity of the educational aspirations of international students. This measure is the result of a visa fraud incident that came to light in June, affecting hundreds of Indian students. The Canadian government aims to ensure that study permits are only granted based on genuine 'letters of acceptance.'
Effective December 1, Canada has introduced a new rule requiring educational institutions to confirm each applicant's 'letter of acceptance' directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This meticulous verification process intends to safeguard students from fraudulent 'letter of acceptance' issues.
The background to this change lies in the case of over 700 Indian college students who are currently at risk of deportation from Canada. Their predicament originated from the discovery that their college acceptance letters, used for study visa applications almost four years ago, were counterfeit. The issue surfaced when students applied for permanent residency, and the Canadian border agency revealed the falsified documents. After the Indian government expressed concerns, the Canadian government temporarily halted student deportations.
In June, Canada established an IRCC taskforce in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to investigate these fraudulent admission letters. The result was the identification and charging of an individual involved in defrauding students. Out of 103 reviewed cases, only 63 were found to be genuine.
This development brings relief to students, considering the diplomatic tensions between India and Canada earlier due to unrelated issues. This tension had led to a withdrawal of visa and consular services from various Indian cities, which posed challenges for students preparing to enroll in Canadian universities.
Additionally, Canada has mentioned a reduction in the processing of visas. It was anticipated that the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department would process 38,000 visas by December. However, it now appears that only 20,000 will be processed. In response to diplomatic relations, Delhi took steps to partially restore visa services, thereby easing the situation.
Looking ahead, IRCC plans to adopt a "recognized institution" framework to expedite the processing of study permits for applicants planning to attend these institutions, beginning with the fall 2024 semester.
This verification process emphasizes Canada's commitment to preventing genuine students from facing deportation while aligning with the country's economic and immigration goals.
The backdrop of these developments reflects the growing popularity of international education among Indian students. As per the Ministry of External Affairs data, Indian students are now studying in 240 countries worldwide, with Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US being the preferred destinations.
These changes underscore the importance of ensuring the legitimacy of educational endeavors and the need to protect students from fraudulent practices. Education should be a journey of growth, knowledge, and opportunity, free from deceit and uncertainty.
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