A report from Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) has disclosed that 2,712 Ghanaian students who entered the country on study visas did not register at their respective institutions.

The findings, released in January 2025, raise concerns over the growing number of foreign students unaccounted for after arriving in Canada.

The data indicates that over 50,000 students failed to enroll, with India leading at 19,582 cases, followed by China with 4,279, Nigeria with 3,902, and Ghana placing fourth among the top 20 countries affected.

The assessment, conducted between March and April 2023, is based on mandatory biannual submissions from Canadian colleges and universities, which report to immigration authorities on whether international students are fulfilling their enrollment obligations, according to The Globe and Mail.

These reports help track compliance with visa conditions, including active participation in coursework.

On the other hand, 5,881 Ghanaian students have adhered to their academic commitments, accounting for 67.4% of those expected to be in school. Other African nations with missing students include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Algeria, and Cameroon.

The situation has sparked debate over potential exploitation of Canada’s education system and visa policies. Some immigration analysts have proposed requiring foreign students to settle their tuition fees in advance before traveling, arguing that this would close loopholes that allow individuals to misuse study permits for other purposes.