OTTAWA – A concerning report has revealed that over 47,000 international students who arrived in Canada on study visas are now officially unaccounted for by their educational institutions, indicating they are in violation of their visa conditions.
Canada has long been a top destination for Indian students seeking higher education, a trend that accelerated after stricter H-1B visa policies were introduced in the US. The country’s safe environment, post-study work opportunities, and strong student work rights contribute to its high appeal, with a recent ApplyBoard survey showing that 94% of Indian students still consider Canada their first choice for foreign study.
However, a National Post report highlights a major compliance issue. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department has informed the Canadian House of Commons Committee that 47,175 foreign nationals who entered the country on student visas are now residing there illegally because they have failed to meet their visa terms, specifically the requirement to attend classes.
According to the data provided by the IRCC, institutions declared 47,715 foreign citizens who arrived in Canada on student visas by the beginning of 2024 as having “not been enrolled” (i.e., they never arrived at their designated universities or colleges).
The list of missing students includes a significant number of Indian and Chinese nationals: 19,582 Indian students and 4,279 Chinese students are reportedly among those violating their study permit conditions.
