UAE: Some students face visa delays, rejections as Canada caps study permits (NEWS) (2024)

Even as a large number of students from the UAE are preparing to go to Canada this fall to pursue higher studies, there are many who are still awaiting their visas and some who have already faced rejection.

Also, education consultants said this time around more students from the country are choosing smaller provinces to study as competition has become stiff in larger provinces like Ontario and British Columbia.

This follows the Canadian government’s recent announcement to re-evaluate the cap on international student work permits. For 2024, the intake cap for overseas student permits is at about 360,000 compared to approximately 560,000 issued last year.

Notably, according to education consultants, Canada has experienced the fastest growth in international student populations compared to other countries, with an increase of over 30 per cent in 2022 and more than 27 per cent in 2023.

How Canada’s two-year cap rule affects work permits

Chafic Mekkaoui, Education Consultant at Hale Education Group, said, “With the reduction in overall study permits by 35 per cent in the upcoming year compared to 2023, there are concerns among students about obtaining a study permit. However, since the cap is based on each province’s population, we expect an increase in applicants to smaller provinces and wider choices of universities. Competition will be more intense for universities in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.”

Mekkaoui said the two-year plan itself introduces changes to the post-graduation work permit, allowing graduates from Masters or short graduate-level programs to apply for a 3-year work permit.

“Previously, the PGWP duration was tied to the length of the study program. However, students from the UAE continue to prefer Canada for several reasons. It’s more affordable, with generally lower tuition fees compared to colleges and universities in Australia, the UK, and the US. Canada consistently ranks high for quality of life, placing third globally.”

According to the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024, 31 Canadian institutions are among the best in the world.

“A recent study shows that 60 per cent of international students who were employed during or after their studies became permanent residents within 10 years of obtaining their first study permit,” added Mekkaoui.

No post-study work permits at port entry

Meanwhile, consulting services highlighted that the recent crackdown on flagpoling also reflects Canada’s broader strategy to manage international student numbers and ensure sustainable population growth.

Flagpoling, a legal process, involves exiting Canada and immediately re-entering to access same-day immigration services. Temporary residents of Canada use this method to bypass the usual wait times for work or study permits by briefly leaving the country and then returning to receive same-day processing.

Canadian and US authorities have now limited the number of ports of entry (POEs) that can be used for such purposes.

Prabhjeet Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Glinks International, said, “This is not explicitly connected to the two-year temporary cap on international students announced earlier.”

They elaborated that while this new policy has not yet been announced for study permits, it should be monitored to see how this may apply to new study permits in the future. “These recent changes are part of a continuous effort to streamline immigration processes and ensure that students are well-informed about the pathways to post-graduate work permits.”

Students planning more meticulously

For students seeking to stay in Canada temporarily to work after graduation, it is crucial to graduate from a designated learning institution (DLI) with eligible programs. “For instance, graduates from a four-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree program may apply for a PGWP that is valid for up to three years,” he added.

Singh pointed out that such directives now encourage UAE students to plan their education more meticulously.

“Despite the recent policy changes, Canada remains a highly attractive destination for students from the UAE. The country’s world-class educational institutions, multicultural environment, and strong career prospects continue to draw students. However, students are now more cautious and seek comprehensive guidance to navigate the new regulations,” added Singh.

Every year, UAE students submit nearly 9,000 university applications to Canada, in addition to applying to other destinations.

International students represent 2.5 per cent of all residents in Canada, with Ontario having 3.5 per cent of its population as international students.

Success, visa delays, rejection

There are, however, some students from the UAE who have faced rejections this year. Amna Hashmi, 29, who has been teaching here for the past three years, was recently denied a visa.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Hashmi said, “I decided to pursue a Post-Graduate Certificate for Internationally Trained Teachers at Queen’s University in Canada to advance my career. I took the IELTS, submitted my transcripts, and even got a letter of attestation from the university. I was all set for the September batch and paid the first term fee. However, my visa was rejected last month because they were concerned that I might not return to the UAE after finishing my studies.”

Although the fees has been returned, Hashmi is disappointed as she was keen on “improving her career prospects”. “If I were to move to Canada, I’d only be given a job if my skills matched their needs. If I didn’t find one, I’d definitely come back to my established career here. Besides, my husband works in an MNC here and has a stable career. My goal was to gain additional qualifications that would benefit me whether I stay here or abroad,” she added.

For Hikmat Dardari, originally from Syria, things eventually worked out in his favour, although times were different then. “It hasn’t affected me since I graduated in December 2021. After graduation, I started working and pursuing my career in Finance. With a year and a half of experience, I moved back to Dubai through an internal transfer. Fortunately, while studying, I obtained my Permanent Residency through the Investor Program, which allowed me to switch from a visa to PR.”

When Nathan Britto, who is headed to the University of New Brunswick, was questioned about any concerns related to study and work permits, he said he was fortunate to have received his visa in record time.

“Frankly, when this news emerged people were thinking how would things pan out for them, but for me it was a smooth sail. For me, one of the main objectives of going to Canada is education. I am looking at my Bachelor’s now. Currently, I have no plans to stay back and work,” said the student who will be pursuing Computer Science.

“For Master’s I might want to continue in some other country or Canada. But I haven’t thought that far. Countries cap (permits) to protect their interest as well. But it didn’t impact me because my paperwork was complete and I had the required marks. I got my visa in one month whereas my friends are still waiting to get theirs despite the offer letter. I am set to leave for Canada on August 13,” added Nathan.

© Khaleej Times

Aug 2024

DubaiUniversitiesUniversities in DubaiUAEUniversities in UAEQueen's UniversityUniversity of New BrunswickHale Education Group

UAE: Some students face visa delays, rejections as Canada caps study permits (NEWS) (2024)

FAQs

Why is the Canada student visa getting delayed in 2024? ›

However, the federal government has given provinces and territories time until March 31, 2024, to set up a process for the issuance of attestation letters to international students. This may lead to longer processing times and cause delays in the study permit application process for some summer intake students in 2024.

Why is Canada rejecting student visa recently? ›

Any inconsistency, inaccuracy, or exaggeration on your study permit application can be grounds for rejection. Immigration officials usually verify the information you provide and review your documents carefully. Make sure the details you provide in your statement of purpose and application are accurate.

Is Canada stopping giving student visas now? ›

Provinces and territories are expected to establish a process for issuing attestation letters to students by no later than March 31, 2024. These temporary measures will be in place for two years, and the number of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end of this year.

What is the success rate of student visa application in Canada 2024? ›

That said, Canadian student visa applications which have been submitted by Indian students are more likely to be approved than ever: their 2024 Q1 study permit approval rate shot past its then-record rate of 73% in 2023 to rise to 85%.

How long does it take to get a student visa for Canada from Dubai? ›

Canada Visa Processing Time From Dubai: Visitor, Study, & Work Visa 2023. Canada Visitor Visa Processing Times: 22 days. Canada Study Visa Processing Time: 7 weeks. Canada Work Visa Processing Time: 9 weeks.

Why is my student visa getting late in Canada? ›

You have to wait for IRCC to finish processing the application. Most delays in processing Canadian visa or permit applications are caused by uncooperative or slow government agencies and institutions in your home country. There is nothing you or IRCC can do about that.

Why is Canada not taking international students? ›

Canada recently announced a two-year limit on the number of foreign students given permission to study in the country. The move is partly to ease a growing housing shortage.

What is the new update of Canada student visa? ›

How is the international student process changing in Canada? In January 2024, the Canadian government announced a temporary two-year cap on Canadian study permits. This study permit cap means the number of approved study permits (also often called Canadian student visas) in 2024 will be limited to around 360,000.

Is Canada putting a cap on international students? ›

The new cap will place a limit at 360,000 study permits per year for the next two years, a decrease of 35% from 2022 levels. That 360,000 total would bring the number of foreign students entering Canada back to about 2018 levels (excluding COVID effects in 2020).

What is the success rate of student visa for Canada? ›

Key Insights at a Glance. The Canadian student visa approval rate was 57% in 2023 for the capped study levels. Indian students saw a historically high approval rate in 2023 and will remain a critical student population for institutions to tap into during the temporary application cap.

What are the new rules in Canada for international students in 2024? ›

Starting January 1, 2024, international students must meet an increased cost of living requirement of CAD 20,635 (previously CAD 10,000), excluding tuition fees. In Quebec, the minimum proof of financial support is CAD 15,078, except for students under 18, who must show access to at least CAD 7,541.

What is the maximum processing time for Canada student visa? ›

Canada Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the Canadian student visa depends on the type of application and whether it is submitted inside or outside Canada. However, it generally takes 1-16 weeks for the completion Canada Study Visa to be processed.

What are the changes in Canada immigration in 2024? ›

In 2024, IRCC intends to invite 35,700 applicants from the parent and grandparent PR pool to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian permanent residency. These sponsors will be randomly selected from the pool of applicants who had submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.

How long does it take to get SDS visa in 2024? ›

SDS Visa Processing

In contrast to the typical 2-3 month visa processing time, SDS streamlines the process for Indian students, allowing them to obtain their visas in 4-6 weeks. Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria can anticipate most applications being processed within 20 calendar days.

How long does it take to get a visa after biometrics in Canada in 2024? ›

Generally, it takes about 28 Days for a Visitor Visa, while a Work Permit might take up to 8 weeks as of January 2024. As you can see that the government of Canada mentions that if you're not applying for specific occupations your processing time may be longer than 8 weeks.

Why is the Canada visa taking so long? ›

It's evident from the myriad of factors we explored why is Canada visitor visa taking so long. The Problem doesn't lie with an individual's application alone but with a combination of high demand, rigorous security checks, operational issues, and external global events.

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