In response to rapid growth in the International Student Program, IRCC implemented reforms in January 2024 that limited study permit applications and introduced a letter-of-acceptance verification system. These changes reduced new permits issued but lowered approval rates, especially in smaller provinces like Manitoba, PEI, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The audit revealed issues with fraudulent documentation and recommended tailored permit allocations and improved fraud detection. Prospective students face more rigorous scrutiny and potentially longer processing times.

• In an effort to manage the rapid growth of the International Student Program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced limits on study permit applications starting in January 2024.
• The reforms successfully reduced the number of new permits issued, but the approval rates were lower than initially projected, disproportionately impacting smaller provinces such as Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, which experienced declines of 59% or more in 2024 compared to 2023.
• To strengthen program integrity, IRCC implemented a new letter-of-acceptance verification system that verified 97% of over 841,000 acceptance letters between December 2023 and September 2025.
• Despite this, the department identified over 153,000 potentially non-compliant students during 2023-2024 but had funding to investigate only about 2,000 cases annually.
• Many investigations remain open due to non-response from students.
• The audit also found that 800 study permits issued between 2018 and 2023 involved fraudulent documentation or misrepresentation, with most individuals later applying for other immigration permits.
• IRCC has been recommended to tailor study permit allocations by province and improve risk assessments for extensions and fraud detection.
• For prospective international students, these reforms mean more rigorous scrutiny of study permit applications and potentially longer processing times.
• Applicants should ensure their documentation is authentic and complete to avoid delays or refusals.
• The federal government continues to balance program growth with integrity and compliance enforcement to maintain the quality and reputation of Canada’s International Student Program.

• Limits on study permit applications starting January 2024
• Implementation of a letter-of-acceptance verification system
• Recommendations to tailor study permit allocations by province
• Enhanced risk assessments for extensions and fraud detection

• Prospective international students applying for study permits
• Smaller provinces including Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick
• IRCC and immigration enforcement agencies

• Applicants must submit authentic and complete documentation for study permit applications
• Prepare for potentially longer processing times due to increased scrutiny

• January 2024 - Limits on study permit applications introduced
• December 2023 to September 2025 - Letter-of-acceptance verification system operational
• 2018 to 2023 - Period during which fraudulent study permits were identified

• https://www.canada.ca/en/auditor-general/our-work/audit-reports/auditor-general-report-2026-international-student-program-reforms.html