Canada reforms its international student admission process ‘to protect students from letter‑of‑acceptance fraud’

livemint.com:

HT. These reform measures aim to strengthen Canada’s International Student Program and protect genuine students from fraud.

From this year onwards post-secondary designated learning institutions or DLIs will need to confirm every applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC. Canada will implement these measures from December 1.

Miller said, “International students are talented, bright and deserving of a positive experience as they pursue their studies in Canada. We will continue to improve Canada’s International Student Program by protecting students and weeding out those who try to take advantage of them." A release from IRCC stated, “This new, enhanced verification process aims to protect prospective students from letter‑of‑acceptance fraud and to help them avoid similar problems that some students faced earlier this year as a result of fraud investigations.

It will also ensure that study permits are issued based only on genuine letters of acceptance." IRCC will adopt a “recognised institution" framework to benefit post-secondary DLIs beginning in the fall 2024 semester. Post-secondary DLIs set a high standard for services, support, and outcomes for international students.