Canada Announces Federal Audit of International Student Program to Restore Trust and Oversight
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The Canadian government has announced a federal audit of its International Student Program in a bid to improve oversight, reinforce integrity, and rebuild public trust in the system. The decision comes after years of unprecedented growth and recent controversies surrounding international education policy.
The Office of the Auditor General of Canada confirmed that the audit is currently in its planning phase and is expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2026. The review will serve as a comprehensive value-for-money audit, with potential focus areas including visa processing delays, compliance measures, federal-provincial coordination, and the impact of recent policies such as study permit caps.
Universities Canada welcomed the initiative, calling it a “necessary step” towards enhancing the credibility of the system. “This is an opportunity to think long-term and strategically about the future of international education in Canada,” the association stated.
Institutions like the University of Windsor have voiced cautious optimism. Chris Busch, assistant vice-president of enrolment management, noted the audit’s independent nature may offer an unbiased evaluation, unlike recent politically driven changes. “It’s a chance to look at what’s working and what’s not without the politics,” he said.
Concerns over visa processing have been mounting, with wait times stretching up to 18 weeks. Busch highlighted that students from African countries face the longest delays and highest rejection rates, raising questions about systemic bias. The audit is also expected to examine the efficiency of current manual processes and how technologies like AI are used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) expressed support, calling for a responsible and sustainable framework that ensures international students can contribute meaningfully to Canada’s economy and labour market.
This audit follows nearly 18 months of sweeping policy reforms, including new study permit caps and stricter post-graduation work visa rules aimed at curbing what the government termed “unsustainable” international student growth. With over one million international students in Canada in 2023, institutions are hoping the audit will result in more transparency and a unified national strategy to support global talent.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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