Canada Cracks Down on International Student Enrollment Amid Rising Concerns

A recent report revealed that nearly 50,000 international students failed to register at their designated institutions in Canada after arriving in March and April 2024. This alarming figure represents 6.9% of the 717,539 international students being monitored at the time.

In response, the Canadian government is urging higher education institutions to diversify their international student intake, particularly beyond India, which currently dominates the study permit landscape. Last year, a staggering 20,000 students from India failed to show up at their enrolled schools, followed by 3,902 from Nigeria and 2,712 from Ghana.

The Canadian government’s call for diversification aims to address issues of students working in low-paying jobs or falling victim to fraudulent educational institutions. “Universities and colleges need to invest more in the talent they’re bringing in and expand their resources to more countries,” emphasized Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Miller also warned that students without legal status, including those with expiring post-graduate work permits, must leave the country. “If you’re here irregularly, you need to leave or you’ll be removed,” he stated.

Between 2010 and 2019, international student numbers in Canada more than doubled, exceeding 640,000. Following the pandemic, Canada actively sought to attract foreign talent, leading to a surge in international student enrollment. However, this increased pressure on housing, healthcare, and public services has prompted the government to tighten immigration policies.

In January 2024, Canada introduced new measures, including caps on study permits and restrictions on post-graduate work permits. These measures aim to ensure a more balanced and secure international student intake.