This crackdown highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight of visa processes and a call for transparency from consultancy agencies to protect students from falling prey to such scams
The Canadian government is set to deport thousands of Indian students after uncovering a major scam involving fraudulent acceptance letters, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed on November 15 that over 10,000 fake letters were submitted by international students entering Canada on student visas. Of these, 80% reportedly originated from Gujarat and Punjab, potentially impacting 7,000 to 8,000 Indian students.
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The IRCC reported that of the 5 lakh acceptance letters scrutinized in the past 10 months, 93% were authentic
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However, 2% were fraudulent, 1% of admissions were canceled, and some institutions failed to provide the required documentation
Visa expert Pankaj Patel noted that students with forged acceptance letters face immediate cancellation of their admissions and deportation to India. He emphasized that the Trudeau administration is likely to take a firm stance, especially amid the strained relations between India and Canada.
The investigation has also exposed the role of unscrupulous visa consultancy firms in fabricating acceptance letters for unsuspecting students. Many families, who invested up to ₹25 lakh for higher education in Canada, now face financial and emotional turmoil.
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