Canada Flags 47,000 Foreign Students Missing: What It Means for Indian Aspirants

With over 47,000 international students flagged for possible visa violations, Canada’s education system faces tighter scrutiny. Experts, however, say genuine Indian applicants still have clear paths forward — if they remain compliant and well-prepared.

A Trusted Destination Faces Questions

For years, Canada has been among the most sought-after destinations for Indian students. As U.S. visa norms tighten and global education costs rise, Canada’s reputation for safety, work opportunities, and post-study rights has made it the preferred choice.

A 2025 ApplyBoard survey revealed that 94% of Indian study-abroad aspirants still consider Canada their first preference. Yet recent developments have triggered concern across the education sector.

47,000 Students Flagged as ‘Potentially Non-Compliant’

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), over 47,175 foreign students, roughly 8% of all international enrollees, were flagged as “potentially non-compliant” with their study permit terms.

The issue surfaced when institutions reported 47,715 foreign nationals — including 19,582 Indians — as “no-shows” in spring 2024. China followed with over 4,200 flagged students.

Canadian schools are legally required to report cases where international students fail to attend classes. These reports may lead to investigations by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

However, IRCC admits that it lacks a real-time tracking mechanism if schools do not update student records — a major administrative gap.

Understanding the ‘Missing Student’ Label

Officials clarified that “potentially non-compliant” does not necessarily mean illegal stay or fraud.
It simply means a student’s enrollment status could not be verified. Many flagged students may have switched colleges, dropped out, or failed to update documentation, rather than disappeared.

Given the sharp rise in foreign enrolments — now over 900,000 study permits — tracking has become increasingly complex.

Why So Many Students Were Flagged

Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO of University Living, explained that these cases reflect systemic strain rather than deliberate violations.

“Most of these are administrative lapses — delayed record updates, course transfers, or financial stress leading to interruptions,” Arora said. “The system is struggling to keep pace with demand.”

He added that misinformation from unregulated education agents and poor financial planning often worsen the problem. The result: incomplete data, not necessarily missing students.

Impact on Indian Students

Indian students account for over 37% of Canada’s international student population — the largest cohort by far. But they now face stricter vetting.

Study permit approvals from India fell 31% in the first quarter of 2025, while rejection rates reached nearly 80% in some regions.

Arora noted that reports of “missing” students have caused anxiety among parents and applicants.

“Families want assurance that their children are safe and enrolled in verified institutions. Canada’s fundamentals remain strong, but rebuilding trust will depend on how well authorities communicate and enforce transparency,” he said.

Policy Shifts and Tighter Oversight

IRCC Deputy Minister Aiesha Zafar clarified that flagged students are still under review.

“We have not determined full non-compliance yet. These are initial reports from institutions,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Canadian lawmakers, including Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, have called for accountability from colleges like Conestoga and Seneca, demanding they explain how student attendance is tracked.

The federal government has already introduced a 2025 study permit cap of around 437,000, signaling a pivot from expansion to controlled growth.
New policies focus on improved data sharing between institutions, tighter regulation of education agents, and stronger reporting standards.

Should Indian Aspirants Still Choose Canada?

Experts say yes — but with preparation and compliance.

“Students who apply with genuine intent, proper documentation, and academic alignment have nothing to fear,” said Arora. “It’s the grey zone of weak paperwork and misinformation being filtered out.”

Indian students are advised to:

• Verify institutional authenticity

• Maintain updated visa and enrollment records

• Manage finances responsibly

• Avoid unlicensed consultants

Canada remains one of the world’s most rewarding destinations for higher education — provided students approach the process with awareness and responsibility.

As Arora concludes,

“Canada is shifting from expansion to accountability. In the long run, this will create a more transparent, reliable environment for international education.”