Canada Immigration Emails Reveal Sham Mar marriages Used by Indian Students

Canadian immigration officials became aware that Indian students were arranging marriages of convenience through newspaper advertisements and dating apps to gain residency and financial support in Canada, according to Indiatimes. The practice, which occurred before 2024, allowed applicants to secure Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) to help offset the high cost of studying and living abroad.

Internal Emails Reveal Sham Marriages Used for Canadian Visas

The revelation came to light through an internal email sent to senior Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials, including IRCC director of irregular migration and risk intelligence Sean McLuckie. The communication was written by Han Duan, first secretary (migration) in Canada’s High Commission in New Delhi, and was obtained through an access to information request by immigration lawyer Richard Kurland, as reported by India Today.

Exploitation of Spousal Open Work Permits

The Spousal Open Work Permit is intended to allow the partner or spouse of a temporary foreign worker or international student to live and work in Canada while their partner studies. Before 2024, this permit was available to the spouses of undergraduate and diploma students.

Canada Immigration Emails Reveal Sham Mar marriages Used by Indian Students — Photo: news.abplive.com

Duan noted in the correspondence that because living and studying in Canada is expensive, many applicants relied on these transactional relationships to secure financial backing in exchange for spousal open work permits. Kurland told the Toronto Sun that unscrupulous overseas agents promoted multi-year plans, telling prospective students that permanent residence was guaranteed if they obtained a study permit. According to Kurland, families frequently financed these arrangements by making enormous financial sacrifices, with some literally selling their farms to send their children abroad.

Policy Changes and Shifts to Other Countries

To address integrity issues in the international student program, then-immigration minister Marc Miller introduced policy changes in 2024 that closed the loophole by ending SOWP eligibility for spouses of most undergraduate international students. Subsequent restrictions further limited eligibility mainly to spouses of students in doctoral programs, master’s programs lasting at least 16 months, and select professional courses.

Following these measures, New Delhi observed a decline in both the total number and overall quality of Indian study permit applicants. Official data cited in communications published by news.abplive.com showed that the number of Indian study permit holders in Canada dropped from 277,950 in 2023 to 188,125 in 2024, and further to 93,840 in 2025. After Canada tightened its regulations, many prospective Indian applicants began exploring alternative destinations such as Germany, Sweden, and Finland that continue to offer spousal work visas. Similar restrictions implemented in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand also led to declines in Indian study permit applications in those nations.

Broader Integrity Issues and Government Response

Beyond marriages of convenience, the internal communication flagged other integrity concerns involving study permit applications from India. A targeted integrity exercise highlighted serious worries regarding language testing, indicating that some applicants lacked the required English-language proficiency despite holding valid language test certificates.

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In response to the report, the IRCC stated that recent reforms are designed to protect genuine students and strengthen program integrity. Immigration department officials noted that immigration officers receive training to detect fraudulent marriages and can refuse applications if they determine a relationship was formed primarily for immigration purposes. Furthermore, individuals found guilty of marriage fraud face potential removal from Canada.

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