Canada is a popular destination for international students because it is relatively easy to get a work permit, but the student immigration system is rife with fraud and “perverse incentives,” Minister Miller told reporters in Brampton, Ontario.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller. Photo: Reuters
The issue of admission letter fraud came to the forefront earlier this year when dozens of international students were deported for allegedly using false documents to enter Canada.
From December, post-secondaryinstitutions will be required to confirm acceptance letters from applicants directly with Canadian immigration authorities, Mr. Miller said.
Canada also plans to roll out a “recognized institutions” framework in fall 2024 to identify institutions where international students benefit from better services, housing and other support.
Such institutions could benefit from faster processing of student permit applications, Mr Miller said, adding that more details would be shared next year.
Canada relies on immigration to boost its economy and support its aging population, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has increased immigration every year.
The government says international education accounts for more than C$22 billion ($15.9 billion) in annual economic activity and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Canada.
Official data shows that there are more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in Canada in 2022 and about 900,000 are expected to arrive in Canada in 2023.
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
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