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Over 7,000 Indian students in Canada risk deportation over visa scam
Reports indicate that approximately 80 percent of these fake documents belong to students from Gujarat and Punjab in India.
Stock image. / Pexels
The Canadian government is facing a major immigration controversy as over 10,000 fraudulent acceptance letters used by international students to enter Canada on student visas have been uncovered. An official from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed the findings on Nov.15, raising concerns over systemic exploitation of the country’s immigration process.
Reports indicate that approximately 80 percent of these fake documents belong to students from Gujarat and Punjab in India. This discovery could lead to the deportation of an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Indian students currently residing in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing the issue in a seven-minute video posted on his YouTube channel on Nov.17, acknowledged that the government had been slow to act on loopholes in the immigration system. He attributed the crisis to "bad actors" taking advantage of the system. Trudeau also linked the scandal to broader policy shifts, including reductions in permanent resident admissions and adjustments to the foreign workers program.
“If the acceptance letters submitted by the students are found to be bogus, their admission will be cancelled, and they will be sent back to India,” said visa expert Pankaj Patel. He further predicted an aggressive stance from the Trudeau administration on such cases, especially in light of strained Indo-Canadian relations.
The scandal has drawn attention to fraudulent practices by visa consultancy firms, which are accused of generating fake acceptance letters. Many affected students and their families have reportedly invested significant sums—up to USD$29621 (₹25 lakh)—to study in Canada, only to face potential deportation.
An IRCC official also provided broader context, stating that out of 500,000 acceptance letters scrutinized over the past 10 months, 93 percent were found to be authentic. However, 2 percent were deemed fraudulent, 1 percent had their seats cancelled, and some institutions failed to provide required documentation.
The Canadian government’s crackdown highlights the vulnerabilities in the immigration system and raises questions about the role of unscrupulous agents
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