Despite an ongoing strike by some Canadian Foreign Service officers, Canada has issued more study permits than last year. According to Postmedia News, more than 45,000 visas were issued to students between May and July, the busiest time of year for these applications. Last year, only 39,600 visas were issued during the same time period.
As of late July 2013, about 13,000 applications were still awaiting processing. In total, 81 percent of study permit applications were processed and received a decision.
“There has been a six percent increase in the number of student applications compared to last year, and we have issued 12 percent more student visas than last year,” said a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.
She added that “ is working to ensure the timely processing of study permits for international students.”