Canada: Temporary Permits Granted for Those Not Involved in Visa Fraud

In a significant development, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), Sean Fraser, announced on Wednesday that international students who came to Canada to pursue education and were not involved in any visa fraud will not be deported from the country. The minister’s statement aims to address concerns and provide assurance to those affected by fraudulent activities.

Minister Fraser emphasized the discretionary authority granted to him by the Immigration Refugee Protection Act, stating, “I want to make it clear that international students who are not found to be involved in fraud will not face deportation. The Immigration Refugee Protection Act offers me discretionary authority which I believe should be exercised in the present context.”

He further highlighted that the Canadian government’s focus is not on penalizing innocent individuals who may have unknowingly been victims of fraud.

To support the affected students, Fraser revealed that temporary permits will be granted, allowing them to continue their education and work in Canada.

“I have provided instructions for officers to issue a Temporary Resident Permit to that individual… and ensure that they are not subject to the five-year ban from re-entering Canada that normally follows in cases of misrepresentation,” he added.

Task Force to Identify Fraud Victims

In order to identify the victims of fraud, the Canadian government has established a task force in collaboration with the Canada Border Security Agency (CBSA). This joint effort aims to identify and assist those students who came to study in Canada with genuine intentions.

Strengthening Systems and Cooperation

Minister Fraser also urged Canadian universities to strengthen their systems to prevent the entry of fake applications. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, he emphasized the close cooperation between the IRCC ministry and educational institutions to detect and combat such fraudulent activities effectively.

International Efforts to Address the Issue

Earlier this month, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal took steps to address the concerns of affected students. He wrote to both the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and the Canada High Commissioner to India, Cameron Mackay, requesting their attention to the matter.

Additionally, Dhaliwal reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging support for the affected students and requesting that they not be deported but instead be granted work permits.

The Canadian government’s commitment to addressing the situation and providing support to international students affected by fraud showcases its dedication to upholding fairness and ensuring a welcoming environment for all legitimate students pursuing their educational aspirations in Canada.