Nearly 50,000 International Students in Canada Reported as “No-Shows”

A troubling trend has emerged among international students in Canada. Nearly 50,000 students with valid study permits failed to attend their designated universities and colleges in the spring of 2024, according to recent government data. This represents almost 7% of international students tracked by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) during that period.

Key Data Highlights

• India reported the highest number of non-compliant students, with 19,582 no-shows.
• Burundi recorded the highest percentage, with nearly 49% of its students absent.
• An additional 23,514 students (3.3%) had their compliance status unreported by institutions.

The non-compliance figures have sparked significant discussions about the effectiveness of Canada’s international student compliance system.

The Reasons Behind the Trend

Experts suggest several factors contributing to this issue:

1. Working to Stay in Canada: Many students prioritize employment over education to seek permanent residency or asylum claims. In the first nine months of 2024, nearly 14,000 foreign students filed asylum claims.
2. Fraudulent Agents: Unregulated agents abroad may exploit students by providing misleading guidance on study permits.
3. Illegal U.S. Border Crossings: Some students reportedly use study permits as a stepping stone to enter the U.S. illegally.

Government Response

The Canadian government has introduced stricter measures to tackle these challenges:

• Enhanced Monitoring: Educational institutions must report student compliance twice annually. Failing institutions face potential suspension.
• Policy Changes: Open work permits for the spouses of foreign students are now limited to specific circumstances.
• Public Statements: Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized addressing exploitation tied to smuggling networks and global migration crises.

Calls for Reform

Experts have proposed actionable steps to strengthen the system:

• Mandatory Advance Fee Payments: Requiring students to pay tuition fees upfront could reduce fraudulent applications.
• Exclusivity for Canadian Consultants: Restricting foreign agents and requiring students to work with Canadian-regulated professionals may prevent exploitation.
• Improved Data Tracking: Aligning statistics from IRCC and Statistics Canada would provide a clearer picture of student activity.

Economic Implications

International students contribute billions of dollars annually to Canada’s economy. The 50,000 no-shows raise concerns about lost revenue and the potential misuse of Canada’s global education system.

Stronger oversight, collaboration between government and institutions, and clear policies are vital. Addressing these issues will help maintain Canada’s reputation as a top destination for higher education while ensuring compliance and fairness.

More…

• https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/50000-international-students-cut-class
• https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/50000-international-students-canada
• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-international-students-school-attendance-data