Canada Students studying in U.S. are receiving an email from the Government of Canada asking for details of their marks and attendance. After receiving this email, Indian students are very nervous and they are calling the agents in India who had arranged for them to study in Canada. ‘Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’ (IRCC) of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has asked for study permits and education records from students in an email.
These emails are being sought by IRCC at a time when most students have student visas valid for more than two years. In fact, the government has launched an initiative whereby ‘Designated Educational Institutions’ (DLIs) and students are expected to follow strict immigration rules. The government is investigating whether DLI and students are following immigration laws and study rules. DLIs are institutions where foreign students study.
What did the students say?
Speaking to The Indian Express, a student who received the emails said, “These emails are like formal enquiries, in which students have to provide proof that they are following the academic and immigration rules to study in Canada. . If someone is not answering correctly or presenting sufficient evidence, it means that he is not following the rules. If this happens, the study permit of the students can be canceled and they can be sent back to their country.”
Another student said, “We are concerned because these strict measures mean increased pressure to comply with academic and immigration rules. “Many of us now realize that if we accidentally or intentionally skip classes or change DLI and then do not notify IRCC, our future in Canada may be at risk.”
Another student studying in Canada said, “However, we are not being advised to panic. Even though we have changed the DLI without informing the government, we should not worry. This is because we have to prove that we are pursuing our studies in the new institution and our academic record is also good.” At present, students are being advised to respond to emails immediately.
Who is Canada sending emails to?
According to education consultants, emails are usually being received by students who have changed their college or course without informing IRCC. Changing DLI is allowed in Canada, but IRCC must be notified. Emails are being sent to students who do not have good academic performance, poor attendance, have failed in exams, have been expelled from the college or have dropped out of the college.
Jalandhar-based educationist Tirath Singh said, “In the past, some Canadian education agents have taken advantage of the easy rules to change DLI. Students who do this do not need to take classes every day and are able to concentrate more on their work. There are some colleges which promote this kind of work. But, now Canada has tightened the rules. It has become necessary to obtain a new study permit when changing colleges. This step has been taken so that the study permit cannot be misused and students can give priority to their studies.”