CANADA- The Canadian Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced on Friday the introduction of new visa regulations aimed at safeguarding international students from fraudulent activities.
This decision comes in the wake of an investigation earlier this year that uncovered over 100 cases involving counterfeit admission letters.
Canada New Visa Rules
Starting from December 1, 2023, all post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) will be obligated to validate each applicant’s letter of acceptance with the immigration department through a newly established verification procedure before granting a study permit.
Canada is also in the process of establishing a framework that will recognize post-secondary learning institutions with elevated standards in terms of services, support, and outcomes for international students.
This system is slated to be in place by the next fall semester. As a result, applicants who seek admission to these institutions will receive priority consideration when it comes to processing their study permits.
The immigration department has stated, “We are also in the process of evaluating the criteria for post-graduation work permits. In the months ahead, we will introduce modifications that will have a positive impact on Canadian employers nationwide and assist in fulfilling regional and Francophone immigration objectives.”
Approximately 700 international students, predominantly hailing from Punjab, face potential deportation due to their alleged victimization by unscrupulous educational institutions in Canada.
Executive Insights
MP Jenny Kwan, who represents the New Democratic Party under the leadership of Indo-Canadian Jagmeet Singh Dhaliwal, expressed, “International students who have fallen prey to deceitful consultants should not face deportation or inadmissibility on the grounds of misrepresentation. They have invested their all for a brighter future… They toil diligently, study rigorously, often in challenging circumstances, and endure significant stress with their lives hanging in the balance.”
In its statement, the immigration department highlighted Canada’s status as a preferred destination for international students.
The department acknowledged that while international students have greatly enriched campus life throughout the country, they have also faced considerable challenges when navigating Canada’s International Student Programme. The introduction of the new regulations aims to provide enhanced protection for authentic students against fraudulent activities.
The statement further explained that these measures are designed to counteract unscrupulous individuals who exploit legitimate students for financial gain.
The intent is to identify any fraudulent letter of acceptance submitted swiftly. Additionally, educational institutions that demonstrate robust support for international students will receive recognition, and their applicants will be given priority in the processing queue.
This approach will enable Canada to make more informed selections and retain students who are best suited to meet the country’s economic and immigration objectives.
20+ Billion Dollar Market
These pivotal reforms represent the initial changes arising from the review of the International Student Program and the broader engagement initiative, “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.”
It’s important to note that international education contributes significantly to the Canadian economy, generating more than $22 billion in annual economic activity. This figure surpasses Canada’s exports of auto parts, lumber, or aircraft and sustains over 200,000 jobs within the country.
The temporary decline in international student numbers in 2020 resulted in a substantial economic loss, exceeding $7 billion for Canada’s gross domestic product during that year.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
