In a significant crackdown, Canadian authorities have arrested 950 Indian students, most of them from Punjab, for violating their study visa work regulations. The students were detained in British Columbia during a series of raids conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) across 187 locations. These students were found to be working more hours than legally permitted under their visa conditions, raising concerns about their future prospects in Canada.
The Violation
International students on a study visa in Canada are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during their academic sessions. However, it was discovered that many of these students were working up to 30-40 hours per week, driven by financial pressures. Despite the legal limit, these students were being paid far below the minimum wage, receiving only CAD 15-20 per hour, instead of the official CAD 35 per hour wage.
Exploitation at Illegal Institutions
The CBSA also took action against 187 institutions that were illegally employing students and violating Canadian labor laws. These institutions have now been fined heavily, and investigations are underway to dismantle the networks involved in such illegal activities.
Economic Pressures and Job Market Challenges
Canada’s job market has been struggling in recent months. The country lost 1,400 jobs in June 2023, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.4%—the highest in 29 months. This downturn has made it difficult for international students to find legal work opportunities, forcing many to resort to illegal employment practices to make ends meet.
Impact on PR Applications
As a consequence of these violations, the students now face the possibility of losing their eligibility for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. The Canadian government has made it clear that students found working illegally will face strict penalties, including possible deportation and a permanent ban on applying for PR.
The Justin Trudeau government has recently announced measures to reduce the number of immigrants entering the country, further complicating the situation for these students. With the crackdown on illegal work, the future of many international students, especially from Punjab, now hangs in the balance.
Long-Term Consequences
This incident serves as a warning to all international students in Canada who might consider working beyond the legal limit. The Canadian government’s strict enforcement of visa and labor laws emphasizes the importance of adhering to regulations to avoid long-term repercussions on immigration status.
For the arrested students, the dream of settling in Canada could be shattered, as they now face an uncertain future, with their PR applications likely to be rejected due to their involvement in illegal activities.