Canada Audit Flags ‘98% Approvals’ For Indian Student Visas Amid Fraud Concerns

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 12:37 IST

Canada Auditor General flags Student Direct Stream for 98 percent Indian visa approvals, widespread fraud, weak enforcement, and sharp post 2023 decline in Indian students.

An audit by Canada’s Auditor General has flagged unusually high approval rates for Indian student visas under a fast-track system, despite concerns over fraud and misuse.

The report noted that countries considered high-risk for fraudulent applications typically saw low approval rates, but India was a key exception. Under the Student Direct Stream (SDS), approval rates for Indian applicants rose sharply from 61% in 2022 to 98% in 2024.

This surge came despite internal warnings in 2023 that the SDS route was being targeted by non-genuine students seeking entry into Canada. The fast-track feature, introduced in 2018 to speed up visa processing, was eventually scrapped by the end of 2024.

The audit found that a large share of approvals under the SDS during 2022–2024 were for Indian students, even as concerns grew over fake documents, students not pursuing studies, and rising asylum claims.

Investigations cited in the report identified 800 study permits issued between 2018 and 2023 where applicants used fraudulent documents or misrepresented information. Of these, 68% were processed through the SDS route. In several cases, applicants claimed to have studied at institutions that were either non-existent or involved in selling fake qualifications, the audit said. However, authorities did not take action in these cases or flag them for future scrutiny.

Despite the high approval rates, the overall share of Indian students receiving Canadian visas dropped sharply from over 50% in 2023 to around 8% in 2025 after Canada imposed caps on study permits and tightened rules.

The audit has called for stricter checks and stronger monitoring to prevent misuse, warning that risks remain due to the large number of visas already issued and the relatively lenient scrutiny of extension applications.

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