Proposed regulations would require schools to inform the Immigration Department about student attendance and compliance with permit requirements.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has been implementing changes to limit the increase in international student numbers.
The federal government intends to halt the processing of study permits for post-secondary students if institutions fail to monitor the enrollment of international students.
Under the proposed regulations, colleges and universities would be required to report to the federal Immigration Department on student attendance and compliance with study permit requirements.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to restore confidence in Canada’s international student program.
According to the plan detailed in the Canada Gazette, students must apply for a new study permit whenever they switch schools and must do so before starting their new program.
While the federal government is intensifying its efforts to ensure compliance, it must navigate the complexities of provincial jurisdiction over the education system.
The Immigration Department oversees the entry of international students, sets the conditions for study permit holders in Canada, and determines the issuance of study permits.
Although Ottawa grants study permits only to “designated learning institutions,” it is the provinces that authorize colleges and universities to admit international students.
Consequently, federal officials have struggled to monitor students after their arrival in Canada. They lack information on whether students are enrolled in the institutions specified in their study permits or if they are actually studying, until students need to extend their permits or apply for post-graduation work permits.
The regulatory amendments would enable IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) to effectively address integrity challenges and curb unethical behaviors that undermine the program,” states a government notice recently published for public consultation.
In 2023, Canada welcomed over one million study permit holders, a significant increase from 352,305 in 2015.
The rapid growth of the international student program has attracted attention due to aggressive recruitment by the post-secondary education sector and unregulated foreign agents. Many migrants view studying in Canada as a pathway to employment and permanent residency.
International students have been blamed for the country’s housing crisis, healthcare shortages, and social tensions, leading Immigration Minister Marc Miller to impose a two-year cap on new study permits.
These proposed changes are part of a plan to establish a “trusted institution framework” this fall, aimed at vetting designated learning institutions. The framework is designed to expedite study permit processing for “trusted” schools, incentivizing responsible admission practices in the sector.
Immigration officials stated that the amendments will provide the tools needed to ensure only “genuine” colleges and universities are eligible for study permits and to take action against those who do not comply with the rules.
Designated learning institutions would be required to respond within 10 days to the Immigration Department’s request to confirm a student’s acceptance into a program. They would also need to file a compliance report within 60 days, detailing each student’s enrollment status and whether they are actively pursuing their studies.
Officers could conduct random checks or issue requests if there is suspicion that a letter of acceptance was improperly issued or if a school has a history of non-compliance.
In deciding whether to place an institution on the suspension list and determining the penalty period, officials would consider factors such as the frequency and severity of non-compliance, efforts made to comply with conditions, and the level of cooperation during the verification process.
The immigration minister would make the final decision on whether a school should be placed on the suspension list, which would be published. A non-compliant institution could be listed for up to 12 consecutive months, during which all study permit applications to that school would be returned to the applicants.
The government stated that the proposed changes result from extensive consultation, though it received “mixed reactions” from provincial counterparts. Concerns were raised about the appropriateness of suspending study permits for non-compliant institutions, with some provinces worried that increased federal authority might encroach on their education mandate.
The changes are projected to cost nearly $87 million in present value over 10 years, covering government implementation, costs to designated learning institutions, and expenses for study permit holders who wish to change schools.
Additionally, the regulatory amendments include increasing the weekly off-campus work hours for international students from 20 to 24, as previously announced by Minister Miller. This change aims to help international students manage rising living costs.
The public has until July 29 to comment on the proposed changes.
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