Proposal by immigration minister to protect international students from fraud
To protect international students from fraud, changes in the International Student Program have been proposed by the immigration minister.
According to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada news release, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is proposing the “limit of study permits to students attending institutions designated by provinces and territories.”
“The proposed reforms are intended to address integrity concerns within the International Student Plan, by ensuring genuine students are studying throughout their period of authorized stay in Canada, and attending quality educational institutions,” explains Paul Northcott, a spokesperson for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
According to the news release, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will work with the provinces and territories to decide which schools are most suitable to meet the needs of international students.
The protection against unprincipled institutions will also eliminate the abuse of student visas, by ensuring students coming to Canada to study are doing exactly that, says Northcott.
Presently, international students can apply to any Canadian school by stating their interest. However, there is no way of tracking whether or not they follow through with their educational motives.
Kenney’s proposed changes would permit Citizenship and Immigration Canada the right to request a confirmation from study permit holders that they are in fact following through with their post-secondary education.
Schools not designated to host international students will be able to offer programs of six months or less on regular visitor visas.
The proposal also promises eligible international students the opportunity to obtain a part-time job off-campus without having to worry about applying for a separate work permit.
“Citizenship and Immigration Canada anticipates that the elimination of work permit applications for off-campus work, along with the anticipated reductions in applications from non-genuine students, together, would reduce application processing costs by $32 million over 10 years,” says Northcott.
“I really like the idea of eliminating the application for a separate work permit, which otherwise costs an extra $150. That makes it easier to find part-time work,” says Manuel Rodriguez, president of the International Students Association at York.
“Right now, we are allowed to work on campus, but we aren’t allowed to work outside of campus. Tuition is expensive, so it’s good that they’re making it easier to make a little extra money,” he says.
Although Rodriguez says he is unsure of the affects the overall proposal will have on York directly, he agrees with the intentions behind these changes.
“I think it’s a good proposal, and it’s good that there will be more accountability for the institutions.”
Jenn Goldasic, Contributor
