thats not fair!!!study permit applicants are experiencing long processing times at the Canada High Commission in Islamabad – Pakistan. The processing time for Canada study permit applications posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website is 11 weeks.
Canada has recently closed the visa and immigration sections in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Germany and Japan. The applications from the nationals of these countries are being processed at other locations now. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada claimed that the step was necessary to utilize the available resources effectively and efficiently. The processing times at these visa offices for Canadian study permit was between 3 to 5 weeks. The new applications for Canada study permits are expected to experience significant increase in time in which the decision will be made.
Some students who submitted their applications in December 2011 for Canada study permit are still waiting for even the request for Medical examination.
When the student send emails to the Canada High Commission in Islamabad to enquirer about the status of their applications, all they receive in reply is automated response stating application is in queue and will be assessed soon.
Apparently, there is shortage of staff at the Canada High Commission Islamabad that is delaying the processing of the Canada study permit applications.
The applications for study visas of countries like UK and Australia are decided in few weeks time saving not only the student’s precious time but also avoiding frustration caused by long times taken by visa offices in deciding the application.
Students from Pakistan who have applied for Canada study permit and has not received any response even after 11 weeks can send email at islamabad-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The applicants must include in their message the following:
Full Name (SURNAME, Given names)
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
File Number (letter/number – if available)
Telephone number including area code: (Example: 010-6532-3536)
If there is no response within thirty days, then applicant can send a reminder.
It is worth mentioning here that processing times for Canada study permits at Canada High Commission in India is only 3 weeks
