COW – Security Screening of Students – May 28, 2026

• Each application is reviewed case-by-case against the same criteria regardless of country of origin.
• All applicants are screened for admissibility.
• Some cases are referred for full screening with Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
• Even previously approved applicants can be reassessed. New information or expired screening can trigger a fresh review.
• Officers are trained to assess risk and supported by ongoing intelligence updates.
• The goal is to protect Canadians while ensuring fair, consistent processing.

Office of the Auditor General's Recommendations on Study Permit Extension Applications

• We agree with the Auditor General's recommendation to take a closer look at applications that were originally approved under the Student Direct Stream, which was cancelled in 2024 in part due to concerns with program integrity.
• We have begun assessing extension applications from former Student Direct Stream applicants with a renewed risk lens.