IRCC has observed international students have caused an unusual increase in the demand for study permits. The official reports suggest a rise in the number of applications due to pandemic restrictions that have been uplifted. Students have resumed their studies in Canada and are on track to either starting their post-secondary education or completing it.
At the Canadian Bureau for International Education, IRCC officials addressed the challenges because of the increasing study permit applications. Many students are getting rid of online studies and coming toward traditional classroom education, now that pandemic restrictions are reducing.
IRCC’s Director also stated that despite the pandemic causing a massive impact on the immigration programs, Canada’s immigration system has recovered drastically.
As per the recent data that was recorded, it is observed that the number of study permits is unparalleled compared to the pre-covid phase. In 2021, there were 500,000 study permits issued while toward the end of 2021, the number increased to 600,000.
The majority of applications received by IRCC in the initial four months of 2022 came from countries like India, the Philippines, Columbia, and Nigeria.
CBIE even reported that most international students seek education in Canada if they have to choose a country for studying abroad based on its security and safety.
Addressing the processing time for study permit backlogs
The percentage of study permit backlogs increased to 56 percent in 2021 compared to the data in 2020. In 2022 (first quarter), IRCC reported having received 175,000 applications. As a result, the study permit’s processing times got prolonged.
However, IRCC’s data records that 621,565 study permits belonged to international students who were a part of programs that were six months long in 2021. This number of applications is still lower than in 2021.
On July 17, it was reported that close to 20,000 individuals were on the waiting list for their first study permit application to be processed. As per the IRCC’s tool for processing time, 12 weeks is the timeframe for overseas applications to be processed, provided they aren’t applying directly to the Student Direct Stream.
Recommendations list
To fight the delay in the processing times, there are about 35 recommendations on the list. The committee on Citizenship and immigration has presented a report to Ottawa’s House of Commons with the recommendations, which are as follows:
Recommendation for Student Direct Stream’s expansion
IRCC has primarily suggested reviewing and expanding the Student Direct Stream to speed up the processing time for all those candidates holding legal residency in at least one of the twenty eligible countries.
If a student qualifies the eligibility for the Student Direct Stream, he might get his study permit within just twenty days. The report has further urged the IRCC department to review and expand the list of eligible countries to maintain equality and uniformity. As per the report, West African countries must also be incorporated into the eligibility list of the countries.
Increased transparency and partnership required
The recommendations have urged IRCC to step up in terms of transparency, particularly in displaying the criteria based on which students are chosen. They must also reduce the rigidity associated with the evidence demanded from students to determine their financial capability. IRCC needs to be more flexible with the evidence.
Further, the report has urged IRCC to establish a greater partnership with the provinces and DLIs to govern the employer’s hiring of individuals from abroad through travel. Additionally, they must provide authentic information to potential candidates to spread awareness about scams and frauds.
IRCC will undoubtedly consider the recommendations. The reports given suggest that IRCC is liable to respond to Parliament and even work out the possibilities of executing the requests.
