Less than a week before the autumn semester begins, the graduate student of the University of Western, Yixuan Peng, has not yet learned if he can attend his guidance or classes in London, Ontario.
China’s international student was accepted in the Western Master of Science Business Analysis Program in early May, but has not yet received the new study permit requested for that month.
“Everything is so indeterminate and that is the most frustrating part,” said Peng, 23, named Peter. “At this time, I have to wait every day and I can’t plan my next movement.”
Peng, who has lived in Canada since 2016, has completed a double degree from the University of Waterloo and the Wilfrid Laurier University. But the new federal rules that entered into force in November require that international students who change postsecundaria schools must request a new study permit.
Until Wednesday, the website of immigration, refugees and citizenship of Canada (IRCC) says that processing times can take up to 173 days or almost six months.
As a result, Peng cannot plan for next year, and that includes having to deal with a one -year rental contract.
“Honestly, it is so difficult to express how I feel at this time. On the one hand, I have worked very hard to reach this point, winning admission to one of the best postgraduate schools in Canada, and yet, despite doing everything right, I feel completely trapped.
“I presented my application for an early study permit, I followed all the rules and maintained hope. But with every day of silence that passes from IRCC, that hope is more difficult to hold on. Seeing others to move forward with their plans while I am in Limbo feels discouraging.”
New policy aims to monitor study permits
In November, the immigration minister at that time, Mar Miller, announced radical changes in the system, part of an effort to take energetic measures against holders of false international study permits and reinforce the reputation of Canadian postsecundarias institutions, many of which have been accused of exploiting international students.
Any international student who wishes to change the designated learning institution (DLI), including those who move from post -school programs to postgraduate, must request a new study permit and cannot initiate courses until applications are approved.
The processing times vary according to the quality and opportunity of the responses to the requests for information or biometric data, the ease of verifying information and the complexity of the file, said an IRCC spokesman in a statement sent by email to CBC News.
“With the introduction of a limit in international students, as well as the new regulations that require DLIS to denounce the fulfillment of the students and verify the acceptance letters, it has become more important to ensure that the students attend the institution to which they were approved to attend,” wrote Rémi Larivière.
IRCC said that the demand for study permits is high for the autumn semester, but the department is “committed to processing these applications as quickly as possible” so that applicants can receive an answer before the start of the semester.
“The general inventory of study permissions has decreased, but processing times remain within the service standards,” Larivière said, adding that IRCC will continue to prioritize resources as necessary to ensure that students can attend classes as planned.
“For the applications for study permits of applicants in Canada, we are working to ensure that students who require an extension to begin their studies in September are completed their requests.”
The changes allow Ottawa to better monitor international study permits and ensure that students are really studying in the institutions for which they came to Canada, said Nancy Duggal, a London immigration consultant.
But delays are causing problems to international students who have been waiting for months without an IRCC response, Duggal added, which manages about 20 applicants in a situation similar to that of Peng.
“Processing times have increased for almost all applications, and has a bad impact on students who are genuine and want to continue their studies,” he said. “Most students have just work due to this, so they are currently unemployed, in addition to paying leases for the additional four months. It will be a burden for them.”
Duggal said that students who do not obtain permits in time will probably have to defer school assistance to January or next year, but that is not guaranteed either, putting their lives in pause for several months. She believes that hiring more IRCC officers can help accelerate processing applications.
A western spokesman said the university offers support from international students who do not receive study permits for September. That help includes one of the immigration advisors and flexibility on the start dates when possible.
Peng said Western has given him an extension, until September 15, to obtain his study permit. If you do not receive it by then, you will have to return to China because your current permission has expired. If you choose to defer your studies until next year, you must request another study permit.
As soon as he accepted Western’s offer, PEG also signed a one -year lease contract in a housing complex for students, paying $ 1,700 per month.
“I have to move there even though I still don’t have my study permit, and if I can’t stay there for a year, there will definitely be a monetary expense that I have to pay,” said Peng, who moved to his unit on Wednesday. “My future is very confusing at this time.”
