The Canadian Immigration Department does indeed have the legal right to require international students to provide proof that they are complying with the conditions of their study permit. This is not a rumor or a “new invention”: the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations explicitly state that a study permit holder must be enrolled at the educational institution specified in the permit and actively pursuing their program of study. The same regulations also allow an IRCC officer to request proof of compliance with these conditions both when there is suspicion of a violation and as part of a random check.
How IRCC Obtains Student Data
Separately, IRCC has long been receiving data directly from educational institutions. For post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), reporting on the status of international students is mandatory, and requests for such reports are sent regularly—typically every March and November. It is these reports that give IRCC the basis to identify who appears potentially compliant and who appears potentially non-compliant. And this is important because IRCC officially explained to a parliamentary committee: a confirmed violation of study permit conditions can affect future applications, including status extensions, other temporary visas, PR, and in some cases—lead to enforcement action and even a removal order.
In other words, the very fact that students may receive such letters is fully in line with current regulations. Moreover, IRCC’s official response to Parliament explicitly states that additional verification may occur randomly, during the review of a subsequent immigration application, or even during interaction with CBSA upon re-entry into Canada. In other words, this is not just about “problematic” students, but also about a mechanism for broader oversight of the system.
Why is this being discussed right now
Why is this being discussed right now? Because pressure on the International Student Program in Canada has risen sharply. According to the Auditor General of Canada, the number of study permit applications increased by 121% between 2019 and 2023, and in March 2026, the audit explicitly stated that while IRCC had reduced the number of new permits, it had not adequately addressed integrity controls. The audit found that in 2023–2024, IRCC identified over 153,000 students as potentially non-compliant, but had funding for only 2,000 investigations per year. Also, in 2023–2024, 4,057 investigations were opened, and approximately 40% of them remained open because students did not respond to requests for additional information.
That is precisely why the issue of compliance is now much more sensitive than before. Canada is not only limiting the influx of new students but is also clearly trying to better monitor those already in the country. Against the backdrop of scandals involving forged acceptance letters and a weak response to high-risk cases, IRCC is intensifying its focus on actual study, rather than merely the existence of a study permit “on paper.” The Auditor General also specifically noted that the department responded ineffectively to some cases of potential misconduct and fraud, even though this is a key part of the integrity agenda.
Does this apply to Ukrainians under CUAET
This issue is also relevant for Ukrainians in Canada. If a person arrived under CUAET or related measures but is currently in Canada on a study permit, they are subject to the same basic conditions of student status as other international students. Certain special Ukrainian measures regarding study permits have already ended: the last day to apply under the temporary special rules was December 31, 2024, and IRCC now explicitly states that to obtain a new study permit or extend your stay, you must meet the usual requirements, apply through the regular process, and pay standard fees. Additionally, for those who arrived in Canada before March 31, 2024, the special opportunity to apply for a new study permit from within Canada ended on April 1, 2026.
Therefore, the statement “this may apply to CUAET-Ukrainians” is correct, but with an important clarification: not because there is a separate “Ukrainian check,” but because Ukrainians who currently hold or are applying for a study permit are subject to the same student status rules as all other international students. Nationality does not exempt you from the requirement to be enrolled at a DLI and actually attend classes.
What to do if you receive such a letter
What should you do if you receive such a letter? First and foremost, do not ignore it or put it off “until later.” You need to verify that the notice actually comes from IRCC, carefully read the instructions in your specific letter, prepare all the documents requested, and submit them in the format and by the deadline specified in the notice. IRCC’s public pages do not provide a single universal template for such a letter for all students, but the law explicitly allows an officer to request proof of compliance with permit conditions.
If your request asks you to confirm your enrollment and academic progress, the strongest package will include an official letter from the educational institution, your current enrollment status, a transcript, or other academic records from the Canadian institutions where you studied.
If some of the documents are not in English or French, IRCC requires you to include a translation into English or French, as well as supporting documents for the translation depending on the type of translator. IRCC specifically emphasizes that supporting documents must be in English or French, or submitted along with a proper translation.
What the consequences might be
Another critical point is that the consequences can extend far beyond a single letter. The regulations explicitly state that a study permit becomes invalid, specifically, on the day the holder is no longer enrolled at the DLI listed on the permit, unless this is related to the completion of studies. And individual violations of the permit conditions can create problems with future applications. Therefore, even if it seems to you that “this is just a formality,” for IRCC this is a matter of your current status and your future immigration history.
Conclusion
The main conclusion is simple: the information that IRCC may check international students for compliance with study permit conditions is true. It has been officially confirmed that students have this obligation, that IRCC has the right to request evidence, and that the department investigates potential non-compliance. This is also relevant for Ukrainians in Canada if they hold student status. Therefore, any letter from IRCC on this subject should be taken seriously and responded to promptly, fully, and with supporting documentation.