International Students Face New Hurdles
In January 2024, the Canadian government decided to cap the number of international students to about 360,000, marking a 35% decrease from the previous year. This decision was a response to the high levels of recent immigration straining local resources. In addition to the cap, students are now required to obtain an attestation letter from the provinces where their prospective institutions are located, complicating the application process further. This measure, however, does not extend to master’s programs. Educational consultants in Punjab, a region with a high number of prospective students aiming to study abroad, have noted a marked increase in the number of students applying for visitor visas. This trend is believed to stem from the prolonged and uncertain wait times associated with obtaining the necessary attestation letters and subsequent study permits.
Misinformation Compounds the Problem
Consultants in both small towns and major cities across Punjab are reportedly disseminating misleading information about the availability and difficulty of obtaining student visas. Some are advising students to enter Canada on a visitor visa and apply for a study permit after arrival a route that seems faster due to shorter processing times for visitor visas, approximately three weeks, compared to the 12 to 13 weeks for study permits.
Legality and Advisability of Entering on Visitor Visas
While entering Canada on a visitor visa with the intention to convert it to a study permit is legal, it involves complexities that might not be immediately apparent. According to Gurpreet Singh, a consultant from Punjab, and Sumit Jain from Jain Overseas, the process for converting a visitor visa into a study permit involves rigorous procedures similar to those required for direct study permit applications, including proving acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution and demonstrating sufficient financial support.
Despite the seeming expedience of entering Canada on a visitor visa, experts advise that applying directly for a study visa remains the better option. The overall success rate is still relatively high, and Canadian provinces are gradually adapting to the new rules, which might soon lead to reduced processing times for study permits.
Source: Indianexpress