20000 Indian students missing in Canada? Visa scams, fake colleges, and a broken system
Recent reports indicate that nearly 20,000 Indian students who arrived in Canada for higher education did not enroll in colleges. Investigations reveal several reasons, including visa misuse, fraudulent colleges, and the appeal of working in Canada rather than studying.
Reasons for “Missing” Students
Fake Colleges: Some students were lured by fake colleges or “diploma mills” that exploit loopholes in the education system, using misleading advertising and false claims of accreditation. A 24-year-old student from Haryana discovered that the college he was admitted to in Brampton was a sham after paying a portion of his fees.
Visa Misuse: Some students knowingly misused the student visa system to enter Canada for work, taking advantage of the fact that Canada does not require international students to pay tuition fees upfront. A 27-year-old from Gujarat admitted to enrolling in a community college with lower fees than a master’s degree program, using it as a way to enter Canada for work.
Working Over Studying: Many students take up odd jobs to support themselves, often working in restaurants or as delivery couriers. Some students who initially wished to study accepted offers from lesser-known colleges but found them to be inadequate upon arrival, leading them to seek employment instead. A 26-year-old from Telangana who enrolled in a college in Surrey now works full-time at a mobile shop. Similarly, a 25-year-old from Andhra Pradesh works as a delivery agent in Toronto.
Gateway to the U.S.: The student association shared that a few students use Canada as a gateway to cross into the United States illegally. However, most of the missing students are believed to be working and seeking permanent residency in Canada.
Areas of Origin: Most of the students come from Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
Responses and Actions
Investigations: Indian authorities are investigating potential links between Canadian colleges and illegal migration networks in India. The Enforcement Directorate has conducted searches across multiple cities in India, uncovering documents and freezing bank deposits.
Stricter Regulations: Calls are growing for stricter regulations and better monitoring systems to reaffirm Canada’s reputation as a premier education destination. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has introduced stricter rules, including penalties for institutions that fail to report on enrollment.
Letter of Acceptance Verification: The IRCC has implemented a letter of acceptance verification process, requiring designated learning institutions to verify the authenticity of all letters of acceptance.
