A new Canada International Student Program audit has revealed significant weaknesses in the way Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) monitors compliance and investigates fraud after issuing study permits. While the federal government successfully reduced the number of new study permits under recent reforms, the Auditor General concluded that important integrity issues remain unresolved. 

Presented before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, the audit found that IRCC identified more than 153,000 potential cases of study permit non-compliance during 2023 and 2024 but investigated only about 4,000 of them. It also revealed that 800 fraud cases were detected after permits had already been approved, yet no follow-up enforcement action was taken. 

For prospective international students, educational institutions, and immigration applicants, the report highlights the importance of maintaining compliance while demonstrating that Canada continues working to improve the integrity of its immigration system. 

At ImmigCanada Immigration Consulting Services, our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Eivy Joy Quito, advises students and families on maintaining full compliance with Canadian immigration rules throughout their study and immigration journey. 

What Did the Auditor General Find? 

The Auditor General reviewed IRCC’s implementation of reforms introduced to better manage the rapid growth of Canada’s International Student Program. 

The audit concluded that while the department successfully reduced study permit approvals, several integrity controls failed to operate effectively after permits were issued. 

The report identified three major concerns: 

• Limited investigation of potential non-compliance  
• Weak follow-up on confirmed fraud cases  
• Insufficient collaboration between IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)  

According to the Auditor General, stronger oversight is essential to protect public confidence in Canada’s immigration system. 

More Than 153,000 Potential Non-Compliance Cases Were Flagged 

One of the audit’s most concerning findings involved student compliance monitoring. 

During 2023 and 2024, designated learning institutions reported more than 153,000 potential cases where international students may not have complied with the conditions of their study permits. 

These situations can include: 

• Students failing to remain enrolled  
• Not actively pursuing studies  
• Violating study permit conditions  
• Failing to meet reporting requirements  

Source: Canada’s International Student Program Audit

Despite identifying these cases, IRCC launched investigations into only about 4,000 files. 

Many investigations remained incomplete because students did not respond to requests for additional information. 

The Auditor General noted that identifying potential risks alone is not enough. Effective enforcement and timely follow-up are equally important for maintaining program integrity. 

Fraud Cases Were Detected but No Follow-Up Occurred 

The audit also highlighted shortcomings in fraud enforcement. 

IRCC detected approximately 800 cases of fraud after study permits had already been approved. 

Instead of reviewing these cases further or initiating enforcement measures, no additional follow-up occurred. 

According to the audit, many of these individuals later applied for other temporary or permanent immigration programs while remaining in Canada. 

More than half of those subsequent applications were ultimately approved. 

The Auditor General emphasized that when fraud indicators are identified, departments should take timely action to determine whether further investigation or enforcement is required. 

Better Coordination with CBSA Is Needed 

Another key recommendation focuses on collaboration between IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency. 

The audit found that IRCC did not consistently work with CBSA to verify whether students whose permits had expired had actually left Canada. 

Using available immigration and border data, auditors determined that only about 40% of approximately 39,500 students who were expected to leave Canada during 2024 had confirmed departure records. 

While this finding does not necessarily mean every remaining individual stayed in Canada without authorization, it demonstrates important information gaps that could affect immigration oversight. 

Improved information sharing between departments would allow authorities to better monitor compliance and respond more effectively when concerns arise. 

Study Permit Reforms Reduced Overall Approvals 

Although the audit identified integrity concerns, it also acknowledged one significant success. 

IRCC substantially reduced the number of new study permits issued during 2024 as part of broader reforms aimed at managing rapid international student growth. 

The department approved just under 150,000 new study permits, significantly lower than the original forecast of nearly 350,000. 

The reduction reflected recent federal measures designed to better align international student admissions with housing availability, institutional capacity, and labour market priorities. 

Some Provinces Were More Affected Than Others 

The Auditor General also observed that the impact of study permit reductions varied across Canada. 

Smaller provinces experienced particularly sharp declines. 

For example: 

• Newfoundland and Labrador saw approvals fall significantly below expectations.  
• Saskatchewan also recorded a major reduction in approved study permits despite earlier forecasts suggesting growth.  

These changes may affect post-secondary institutions that rely heavily on international student enrolment while also influencing local labour markets that benefit from international graduates. 

What Does This Mean for International Students? 

The audit does not change existing study permit rules or immigration pathways. 

Students who comply with their study permit conditions should continue following normal immigration processes. 

However, the report reinforces the importance of: 

• Remaining enrolled at a designated learning institution  
• Actively pursuing studies  
• Keeping immigration documents valid  
• Updating IRCC when required  
• Following all study permit conditions  

International students planning to apply for work permits or permanent residence should ensure their immigration history remains fully compliant. 

Implications for Canada’s Immigration System 

Canada remains one of the world’s leading destinations for international education. 

At the same time, maintaining public confidence requires effective monitoring, accurate data, and timely enforcement when irregularities occur. 

The Auditor General recommended that IRCC: 

• Improve fraud investigations 
• Strengthen risk management
• Increase follow-up on non-compliance cases  
• Work more closely with CBSA  
• Use existing data more effectively to protect program integrity  

These recommendations aim to improve oversight without changing Canada’s commitment to welcoming genuine international students. 

The latest Canada International Student Program audit highlights both progress and challenges within one of Canada’s most important immigration pathways. 

While IRCC successfully reduced study permit approvals under recent reforms, the Auditor General found that significant improvements are still needed in fraud detection, compliance monitoring, and inter-agency collaboration. 

For genuine international students, the findings reinforce the importance of following study permit conditions and maintaining complete immigration compliance throughout their stay in Canada. 

If you are planning to study in Canada, apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, or transition to permanent residence, professional guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes. 

Speak with ImmigCanada Immigration Consulting Services and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) Eivy Joy Quito for personalized advice on your Canadian education and immigration journey. 

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