International student at Western 'completely stuck' waiting months for study permit amid new Canadian rules

Less than one week before the fall semester starts, Western University graduate student Yixuan Peng still hasn't learned if he'll be able to attend his orientation or classes in London, Ont.

The international student from China was accepted to Western's master of science business analytics program in early May but has yet to get the new study permit he applied for that month.

"Everything is so undetermined and that's the most frustrating part," said Peng, 23, who goes by the first name Peter. "Right now, I have to wait every day and I cannot plan my next move."

Peng, who has lived in Canada since 2016, has completed a double undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. But new federal rules that took effect in November require that international students changing post-secondary schools must apply for a new study permit.

As of Wednesday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) website says processing times can take up to 173 days, or almost six months.

As a result, Peng is unable to plan for the year ahead, and that includes having to deal with a one-year rental contract.

"It's honestly so hard to put into words how I'm feeling right now. On one hand, I've worked so hard to get to this point, earning admission to one of the top graduate schools in Canada — and yet, despite doing everything right, I feel completely stuck.

"I submitted my study permit application early, followed all the rules and stayed hopeful. But with each passing day of silence from IRCC, that hope gets harder to hold on to. Watching others move forward with their plans while I'm in limbo feels discouraging."

In November, the immigration minister at the time, Marc Miller, announced sweeping changes to the system — part of an effort to crack down on disingenuous international study permit holders and bolster the reputation of Canadian post-secondary 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 moving from post-secondary to graduate programs — must apply for a new study permit and can't start courses until applications are approved.

Processing times vary depending on the quality and timeliness of responses to requests for information or biometric data, the ease of verifying information, and the complexity of the file, an IRCC spokesperson said in an emailed statement to CBC News.

"With the introduction of a cap on international students as well as new regulations that require DLIs to report student compliance and verify acceptance letters, it has become more important to ensure that students are attending the institution that they were approved to attend," wrote Rémi Larivière.

IRCC said demand for study permits is high for the fall semester, but the department is "committed to processing these applications as quickly as possible" so applicants can receive a response ahead of the semester's start.

"The overall inventory of study permit applications has decreased, but processing times remain within service standards," Larivière said, adding that IRCC will continue to prioritize resources as needed to ensure students can attend classes as planned.

"For study permit applications from applicants in Canada, we are working to ensure that students who require an extension to begin their studies in September have their applications finalized."

The changes allow Ottawa to better monitor international study permits and to ensure students are actually studying at the institutions they came to Canada for, said Nancy Duggal, a London immigration consultant.

But the delays are causing problems for international students who've been waiting for months without a response from IRCC, added Duggal, who's handling about 20 applicants in a similar situation as Peng.

"Processing times have increased for almost all applications, and it has a bad impact on the students who are genuine and want to continue their studies," she said. "Most of the students hardly get any work due to this, so right now they are unemployed, plus paying the leases for the extra four months. It's going to be a burden on them."

Duggal said students who don't get permits in time will likely have to defer attending school to January or next year, but that isn't guaranteed either, putting their lives on pause for several months. She believes hiring more IRCC officers can help expedite processing applications.

A Western spokesperson said the university is offering supports to international students who don't receive study permits by September. That aid includes one-on-one support from immigration advisers and flexibility in start dates where possible.

Peng said Western has given him an extension, until Sept. 15, to obtain his study permit. If he doesn't receive it by then, he'll have to return to China because his current permit has expired. If he chooses to defer his studies until next year, he must apply for another study permit.

As soon as he accepted the offer from Western, Peng also signed a one-year lease at a student housing complex, paying $1,700 per month.

"I have to move there even though I don't have my study permit yet, and if I can't stay there for one year, there's definitely gonna be some monetary expense I have to pay," said Peng, who moved into his unit on Wednesday. "My future is very confusing right now."