Immigration Minister Mark Miller announced new rules aimed at protecting international students from fraud, following an investigation this summer into more than 100 cases involving fake acceptance letters.

The Immigration Department launched a task force in June to investigate a scheme dating back to 2017, where immigration agents issued fake acceptance letters to bring international students to Canada.

Of the 103 cases reviewed so far, approximately 40 percent of the students appear to be involved in this scheme, while the rest are victims of it.

Miller also stated that schools accepting international students will have to confirm each applicant's acceptance letter with the Immigration Department starting December 1.

The minister is also looking at the schools themselves and plans to establish a system that benefits post-secondary institutions with higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students in time for the upcoming fall semester.

Applicants to these schools will also be prioritized when it comes to processing their study permits.