Canadian universities are the main source of attraction in Canada for international students, mainly from India and China. But, unfortunately, for some reasons, many of the eligible students do not manage to get their visas.
The dean of the business department from the University of New Brunswick said that visas for students from Pakistan and Nigeria have been troublesome due to security checks. He said that it is disappointing for students as well as for universities. A very few students are able to get the student visa.
Mr Siddique said that this situation is getting better for Nigerian students. But for applicants from Pakistan, It is the same. Recently, eight applicants from Pakistan received the acceptance letters. But, all of them got their visas rejected.
Canada is attracting more international students for educational purposes in order to expand the country’s economy. Foreign students are a big source of billions of dollars just as other businesses just like auto parts, aircraft and lumber.
In Ottawa, Pakistan’s Directorate Nadeem Kiyani addressed the issue of visa rejection of applicants from Asian countries.
Nadeem Kiyani wrote in an e-mail that a number of students are turning away from Canada due to visa refusal. This is how Canada is losing valuable students as well as lacking behind in economy.
Kiyani gave a statistical example that in 2015, 68% of the Indian applicants were granted the visas but only 32% of applicants from Pakistan were accepted.
Ahmed Hassan who is the Immigration Minister said that residents from Pakistan have increased in number under the Liberal government.
He also said that soon the government will branch out a program. In this, they will accelerate the visa processes of residents from Pakistan just like China, India, Philippines and Vietnam.
Mr Hassan said that applications are evaluated in a fair manner and completely on merit base according to the Canadian law. There is no comparison between two countries, as every country has its own terms and conditions and travel history, he said.
He also said that applications are ultimately evaluated by visa officers. Educational institutes directly connect with visa offices and embassies.
He also stated that it is important for an applicant to mention its financial assistance on the application form during his stay in Canada.
The head of Colleges and Institutes Canada, Denise Amyot said that it is quite difficult for an applicant from emerging economies to show that they have enough financial assistance to pay for their visit.
The cooperation between visa offices and educational institutes in quite necessary to make sure that the application forms of students are complete, he said.
Amyot also stated that the visa officers do not have enough time to pick the mistakes in the form and correct them. As soon as they doubt any mistake in the application form, they will reject the form straight away.
This is why it is important to fill the form carefully and completely and to add as much information as it is required on the form. That is how the fairness in the system is achieved.
