Preface
Understandably enough, we are in the middle of a deadly pandemic. We are all unwilling participants in this war. We are all frustrated.
Non-SDS applicants, yes. SDS applicants even more so. There is so much that could have already been done.
Applicants waiting since March means that they are already waiting for almost 11 months. April applicants for almost 10, May for 9 months, June for 8 months, July for 7 months, August for 6 and so on.
For some, they have started attending Fall 2020 classes online despite the time difference and internet connectivity stability. Thosewho have started Fall 2020 classes online have already finished it, holding on so dearly to their Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
For some, they are already attending Winter 2021 classes, still online and still enduring the same struggles. Clutchingclosely to their chests, the same AIP letter they have received before Fall 2020 or just received these past few weeks.
For some, they have already deferred numerous times, not wanting to participate in the dangerous game.
Uncertainties for some subgroups
For example, those who started two-year programs in Fall 2020 (and now enrolled in Winter 2021) with just an AIP, they are most likely well aware that once they finish their Diploma, they will get a Post Graduate Work Permit. The duration may vary but they can be awarded up to 3 whole years of PGWP.
Can you imagine how much CRS points is the equivalent of that? 3 years of Canadian work experience!
Well, that is unless they arrive before April 30, 2021.
(Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP): COVID-19 program delivery - Canada.ca)
For sure, these students have already paid for their GIC of 10,000 CAD or above. They have probably also already paid for their tuition fees for a whole year amounting up to five digits in Canadian Dollar as well.
Some students have Co-op Work Placements.
These work placements are important as they are an equivalent of a unit in the chosen program. Employers cannot hire international students without permits as they do not have tax information.
What if they got a negative final decision? What if they got denied? How can they refund all the money they have paid to the school?
Issues Abound: (Biometrics Collection, Medical Not Updated, AIP sent in error, Backlogs, etc.)
In the case of SDS student permit applicants, a complete application must be submitted to get the ball rolling. It means you have provided your upfront medical but cannot submit your biometrics yet. Now can you remember how long VAC's/VFS's around the world have been closed before you were given the chance to provide your biometrics?
Some people relentlessly refreshed the Twitter account/s of IRCC, the website of their respective VFS/VAC, their own GCKey accounts -- all waiting for an update to materialize.
Even though not generally required, applicants are almost expected to submit a webform and raise the issue of medical not being updated.
Can you remember the reference code "CANTECH637145" they gave out to people on Twitter just so they could use it when raising a webform for this so-called technical difficulty?
And after sending the webform, receiving a generic response in the tune of "We are aware of this difficulty.."?
Have you seen recent applications getting approved in a matter of DAYS ONLY as opposed to you waiting for how many months already? Now, how are applicants supposed to feel being left alone in the dark while having another subset of applicants get the priority processing? Especially the latest ones?
So what can be done?
"If these students demand the officers to prioritize their application, are they heartless?"
"Knowing that the pandemic is still raging on, how can they be so impatient?"
"Are these students demanding an approval?"
No, these students are not heartless.
Yes, these students are impatient - rightfully so.
No, these students are not really demanding an approval.
THEY ARE SIMPLY DEMANDING A FINAL DECISION.
Be it a positive or negative outcome.
Approved applicants can then begin finishing their months-old applications and finally land in Canada to focus on studying and not on checking on their application progress.
Refused applicants on the other hand can then focus on reorganizing their applications so they can address refusal points, apply again, and have a chance at improving their lives.
There is so much that could have already been done.
So as a collective group of applicants with no update or experiencing high delays, how loud can we make our voice so that they can hear our frustrations? Are we going to just send endless webforms to nudge them in the direction of our applications?
Understandably enough, we are in the middle of a deadly pandemic. We are all unwilling participants in this war. We are all frustrated.
Non-SDS applicants, yes. SDS applicants even more so. There is so much that could have already been done.
Applicants waiting since March means that they are already waiting for almost 11 months. April applicants for almost 10, May for 9 months, June for 8 months, July for 7 months, August for 6 and so on.
For some, they have started attending Fall 2020 classes online despite the time difference and internet connectivity stability. Thosewho have started Fall 2020 classes online have already finished it, holding on so dearly to their Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
For some, they are already attending Winter 2021 classes, still online and still enduring the same struggles. Clutchingclosely to their chests, the same AIP letter they have received before Fall 2020 or just received these past few weeks.
For some, they have already deferred numerous times, not wanting to participate in the dangerous game.
Uncertainties for some subgroups
For example, those who started two-year programs in Fall 2020 (and now enrolled in Winter 2021) with just an AIP, they are most likely well aware that once they finish their Diploma, they will get a Post Graduate Work Permit. The duration may vary but they can be awarded up to 3 whole years of PGWP.
Can you imagine how much CRS points is the equivalent of that? 3 years of Canadian work experience!
Well, that is unless they arrive before April 30, 2021.
(Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP): COVID-19 program delivery - Canada.ca)
For sure, these students have already paid for their GIC of 10,000 CAD or above. They have probably also already paid for their tuition fees for a whole year amounting up to five digits in Canadian Dollar as well.
Some students have Co-op Work Placements.
These work placements are important as they are an equivalent of a unit in the chosen program. Employers cannot hire international students without permits as they do not have tax information.
What if they got a negative final decision? What if they got denied? How can they refund all the money they have paid to the school?
Issues Abound: (Biometrics Collection, Medical Not Updated, AIP sent in error, Backlogs, etc.)
In the case of SDS student permit applicants, a complete application must be submitted to get the ball rolling. It means you have provided your upfront medical but cannot submit your biometrics yet. Now can you remember how long VAC's/VFS's around the world have been closed before you were given the chance to provide your biometrics?
Some people relentlessly refreshed the Twitter account/s of IRCC, the website of their respective VFS/VAC, their own GCKey accounts -- all waiting for an update to materialize.
Even though not generally required, applicants are almost expected to submit a webform and raise the issue of medical not being updated.
Can you remember the reference code "CANTECH637145" they gave out to people on Twitter just so they could use it when raising a webform for this so-called technical difficulty?
And after sending the webform, receiving a generic response in the tune of "We are aware of this difficulty.."?
Have you seen recent applications getting approved in a matter of DAYS ONLY as opposed to you waiting for how many months already? Now, how are applicants supposed to feel being left alone in the dark while having another subset of applicants get the priority processing? Especially the latest ones?
So what can be done?
"If these students demand the officers to prioritize their application, are they heartless?"
"Knowing that the pandemic is still raging on, how can they be so impatient?"
"Are these students demanding an approval?"
No, these students are not heartless.
Yes, these students are impatient - rightfully so.
No, these students are not really demanding an approval.
THEY ARE SIMPLY DEMANDING A FINAL DECISION.
Be it a positive or negative outcome.
Approved applicants can then begin finishing their months-old applications and finally land in Canada to focus on studying and not on checking on their application progress.
Refused applicants on the other hand can then focus on reorganizing their applications so they can address refusal points, apply again, and have a chance at improving their lives.
There is so much that could have already been done.
So as a collective group of applicants with no update or experiencing high delays, how loud can we make our voice so that they can hear our frustrations? Are we going to just send endless webforms to nudge them in the direction of our applications?
