New Delhi: An audit report on Canada’s student visa system has raised serious concerns over its screening process. The findings reveal that despite repeated fraud alerts and concerns over suspicious applications, a significant number of Indian students were granted visas under the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Notably, the approval rate for Indian applicants surged to 98% in 2024—far higher than global averages.
The report highlights that while high-risk countries typically witness lower visa approval rates, India emerged as a clear exception. This anomaly has triggered a broader debate around the transparency and robustness of the visa assessment framework.
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The story behind the numbers
According to the audit, the share of new student visas issued to Indian applicants dropped sharply from 51.6% in 2023 to just 8.1% by September 2025. However, during the same period, SDS approval rates for Indian students jumped from 61% in 2022 to 98% in 2024.
A key concern flagged in the report is that nearly all applications approved under SDS between 2022 and 2024 originated from India. Even more alarming, out of 800 cases linked to suspected fraud, 541 (around 68%) were still granted study permits despite red flags such as fake documentation or misrepresentation.
Fake documents and ‘non-genuine’ students
The audit uncovered instances where applicants submitted educational credentials from institutions that either did not exist or were involved in selling fraudulent certificates for immigration purposes.
Additionally, several visa holders were found to be non-genuine students—either not actively pursuing education after arrival or using the student visa route for alternate objectives. Despite these findings, authorities reportedly failed to take timely action in multiple cases.
SDS scheme emerges as a weak link
The SDS program, introduced in 2018 as a fast-track visa process for select countries including India, gradually turned into a vulnerability in the system. Internal warnings as early as August 2023 had flagged that the scheme was being exploited by non-genuine applicants.
In response to mounting risks, the fast-track advantage under SDS was discontinued by the end of 2024. Authorities have since moved toward more detailed scrutiny and tighter processing norms.
Relaxed checks on extensions keep risks alive
The audit also pointed out that study permit extensions were subjected to relatively lighter scrutiny. Between January 2023 and September 2025, approval rates for extensions remained high at 94% to 95%, compared to 38% to 58% for new permits.
Experts warn that the large pool of already approved visa holders continues to pose a risk, as many of them proceed to apply for permanent residency or other immigration pathways.
Lack of enforcement raises serious concerns
One of the most critical observations in the report is the absence of follow-up action. Among the 800 flagged cases between 2018 and 2023, authorities reportedly did not initiate concrete action against any applicant.
Moreover, no alerts were added to their immigration records, allowing these individuals to continue applying for other permits. By the end of the audit period, 92% of such applicants had either secured approvals for additional visas or were awaiting decisions.
This raises fundamental questions about the monitoring and enforcement capabilities within the system.
What changes going forward
Canadian immigration authorities have indicated that applications linked to the former SDS stream, including extensions, will now undergo stricter reassessment. Plans are also underway to introduce alert mechanisms to flag high-risk applicants in future applications.
Experts believe that the system will shift toward more data-driven and risk-based evaluation models to curb fraudulent entries effectively.
A clear message for Indian students
The report comes at a time when the number of Indian students aspiring to study abroad continues to grow. However, with increasing scrutiny and tighter compliance norms, applicants will now need to ensure complete transparency and authenticity in their documentation.
Ultimately, the issue goes beyond approval statistics—it underscores the urgent need for balance between accessibility and security in global immigration systems.
