International Student Program Reforms Fall Short on Integrity, Auditor General Finds

Ottawa – A new report tabled in the House of Commons of Canada by Auditor General Karen Hogan reveals that while Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada successfully reduced the number of new study permits to control growth, it failed to adequately address critical integrity issues within the International Student Program.

The audit found that following the federal cap introduced in January 2024, study permit approvals dropped significantly, falling far below projections. In 2024, approvals were less than half of what had been forecasted, with some provinces experiencing declines of 59% or more compared to 2023.

Despite implementing a system that verified 97% of acceptance letters, IRCC struggled to act on compliance concerns. Approximately 150,000 cases of potential non-compliance were flagged in 2023 and 2024, yet only about 4,000 were investigated due to limited resources.

The report also highlighted that 800 individuals suspected of misrepresentation or submitting fraudulent documents were not properly followed up. Many of these individuals later applied for other immigration pathways, with more than half of those applications ultimately approved.

Karen Hogan emphasized that while efforts to curb program growth were effective, the department must take stronger action to address integrity gaps and enforce compliance within the system.

The findings underscore ongoing concerns about oversight, enforcement capacity, and the need for stronger safeguards to maintain the credibility of Canada’s international student framework.