The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set off with strict preventive measures to verify letters of acceptance of international students. The Department of Immigration has an exclusive online portal for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), the institutions authorized to accept international students in Canada – to validate the letters of acceptance (LOAs).
No more LOA Scammers!
Through this new method, the DLIs will have to verify that the LOAs students submit through the online portal are only accessible to the student’s representative to IRCC. The DLIs (Schools) now have 10 days to verify the LOA. If a particular DLI fails to validate the LOA within 10 calendar days or if they validate that the LOA is fake; the student visa application will be cancelled and returned.
Any processing fee paid also will be refunded. Please note that the DLIs will no longer have access to verify the LOAs once the deadline has passed. This new set of rules is a direct result of a scam that happened last year.
“The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid charges against Brijesh Mishra for his involvement in defrauding 700 international students from India”
700 students from India had been issued a fake letter of acceptance. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) discovered that many of them had arrived during 2018-2019 and already completed their studies and got Canadian work experience, some were applying for PR in Canada.
Trusted Institution Framework:
Another important proposition to prevent scams in International student programs is the introduction of a trusted institution framework. This will eventually be the start of a two-tiered study permit processing system. Moreover, DLIs in the trusted institution framework will have access to special privileges such as faster permit processing, and access to IRCC tools. While no detailed definition isn’t available for these updates, it is expected to be in effect by the fall of 2024.
How to verify letters of acceptance in the IRCC Portal?
More step-by-step instructions to verify the LOAs can be found on the government’s website here. Sources also pointed out the possibility of reducing the quota of international student visas in 2024.
Use of AI
IRCC has recently started modernization of the technology used in immigration systems and technologies. Integrating AI systems, Canada’s immigration system reduced the processing time of 98% of spousal TRV applications. New applicants can expect a limited processing time of 30 days.
Updated Application forms:
The IRCC has introduced new application forms for international student visa applications. Named as IMM1294 the new form will be effect for all student applications. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that applications submitted using the old form after December 1 2023 will not be accepted
Latest IRCC advisory board
IRCC will create a new advisory body to provide clear guidelines on issues concerning immigration laws and services. The board will focus on strengthening the policies and protocols.
A new Chief International Talent Officer (CITO)
The new CITO will ensure the alignment between the federal, and provincial immigration systems and the National labor market. The CITO is also responsible for planning and executing the upcoming requirements of the Canadian labor market.
IRCC expects that the new set of rules and policy changes will help them to process the applications quickly and efficiently. The Canadian authorities also eyeing to get rid of the scammers and fraudulent immigration consultants with the help of these preventive measures.
