A recent audit by the auditor general has uncovered significant shortcomings in the immigration department’s oversight of international students, revealing that a large number of high-risk cases were not investigated. Approximately 150,000 cases flagged for potential non-compliance with study permit terms in 2023 and 2024 were largely ignored, with only about 4,000 investigations initiated.
Of the investigations launched, 1,600 were marked as inconclusive due to a lack of response from the students involved. The immigration department has a budget that allows for only 2,000 investigations annually until 2028, which raises questions about its capacity to manage compliance effectively.
The audit also revealed that between 2018 and 2023, 800 cases involving applicants who used bogus documents or misrepresented their information were not followed up. This lack of action has led to concerns about the integrity of the international student program.
Furthermore, the findings indicate that 92 percent of problematic visa holders applied for other immigration statuses to remain in Canada, with 456 of these individuals receiving approvals, including 105 who were granted permanent residency.
“The early audit cannot offer a complete picture of these reforms. It can inform, though, what we do as a go-forward basis,” said Lena Diab, highlighting the need for systemic change.
Karen Hogan emphasized the tools available to the department, stating, “There (are) clearly tools in their toolkit, things they can do when fraudulent documentation was used or if a student isn’t following the conditions of their permit. We didn’t see them consider that in these 800 cases.”
Critics have expressed frustration over the lack of clear deliverables from the department. Michelle Rempel Garner remarked, “The fact that she’s coming out here and cannot come up with a few key clear deliverables to change the system and ensure that all of these cases are being reviewed is crazy to me.”
In response to the audit, the department plans to begin “centralizing” and “streamlining” investigations, as stated by Diab. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.
The audit indicates that the immigration department has not kept up with investigations of student visa holders in the international student program. Details remain unconfirmed.
