I came across this story on LinkedIn. It’s yet another example of an education agent cheating a client in its headlong pursuit of profit. This is one of the issues that contributed to the crisis affecting Canada and its higher education system.

Met with a 30-year-old man from India today. He is working in Canada on a post-graduate work permit which will expire soon. He told me what I’ve heard so many times before, sadly. He was ‘sold’ a photography program at a community college by an agent in India.

He was told Canada was full of opportunities, and that he would have no difficulties finding a job in that field. Moreover, while we all wish it was the case, he was also told there is no employment income tax in Canada, so meeting end-of-month needs would not be an issue. All BS, of course; the only winners are the agent and the community college.

He’s $40K into tuition fee debts, with limited job opportunities in Canada. He is working in a manufacturing plant, in a TEER 4 job, so there are no chances of PR under Express Entry. Just as with so many foreign students, his goal in studying in Canada was to eventually get a shot at becoming a permanent resident.

While it’s tempting to trust local agents who speak your language, it’s a bad idea. Trust only licensed immigration professionals based in Canada.

Take this sad example and multiply it by tens of thousands, a conservative estimate. This Indian man believed the education agent because it was exactly what he wanted to hear. The probable endgame for him is either voluntarily returning to India or deportation.

I asked the LinkedIn colleague who shared this story if he knew the name of the agent/agent aggregator. His response: I wish I knew. I would report to CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). I’d like to collect more of these stories. As one Canadian colleague put it, Student experiences are always more impactful than anything else.

Peace, MAA