Ottawa: A recent report by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that nearly 20,000 Indian students who were admitted to Canadian colleges and universities last year did not proceed with their enrollment.

Canada remains a top destination for students seeking education abroad.

However, concerns have emerged about some individuals using Canadian study visas as a potential route to illegal immigration into the United States.

The study, covering students from 144 countries, found that a total of 50,000 students with Canadian study visas did not enroll in their designated educational institutions. Indian students accounted for the largest share, with 19,582 failing to register.

The report also highlighted similar trends among students from other countries. For instance, 688 students from the Philippines and 4,279 from China obtained study permits but did not enroll in their institutions.

The findings raise questions about the intentions of some study visa applicants and have prompted discussions on tightening immigration policies and ensuring stricter adherence to visa regulations.