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Original poster

Third year uni in Canada - visa issues

55 replies

Radiatorvalves · 12/08/2025 22:32

Hello!

DS is due to start his third year studying at a Canadian uni in September. His flight is in About 2 weeks time. However the visa process has been tortuous. He’s submitted everything and has heard nothing. He’s not alone and of about 40 people on a group chat I think only one has received the student study visa.

It seems there is no one we can speak to about this. I’m planning to go to Canada house tomorrow, almost certainly fruitlessly, and I’m posting here to ask if anyone has any suggestions about how we could expedite this.

His own uni is not being helpful and he’s worried that the whole year will be a disaster.

if anyone has been through this or has any helpful ideas, we’d love to hear them.

OP posts:
Skisunday2014 · 13/08/2025 02:43

Hi,
My child is in the same position - due to travel in less than 2w with application submitted in early June. Also looking for ideas and options….

Overtheatlantic · 13/08/2025 03:00

Have you been in touch with the Canadian university? The academic office there should be helping with this process I would think.

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 07:06

Thanks @Skisunday2014 and sorry to hear you’re in the same boat. I’m trying to get hold of McGill and see if they can encourage a speeding up of the process. But DS says they won’t help (he’s been reading student forums). But @Overtheatlantic i angree they should be interested in helping. Also annoyed that his Uk uni didn’t advise him to apply in March. I’m going to head to Canada house in Traf Sq this morning, but I know they can’t sort it - but maybe they can tell me what avenues might work. I can’t believe the system will adversely affect so many.

OP posts:
Oiledbeggs · 13/08/2025 07:43

Same situation here, DD applied as soon as the Canadian uni confirmed offer in June and is due to leave in less than 2 weeks. Good luck today, would be grateful for an update

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 08:08

Absolutely I will post an update later today. And any other ideas are welcome. DS is so down about the whole thing having been so excited. He’s normallly very level headed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 10:14

Ok so not much to report. Canada House wouldn’t let me in! The security guard pointed us to the IRCC and gave us the email address (which DS already had). I emailed them and got the auto response saying that they wouldn’t review/respond as my email wasn’t on the application.

i also emailed the chancellor of the Uk uni (to DS’ horror), suggesting that he do something given 40 of his students are impacted.

OP posts:
Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 15:01

Further to the above, I have emailed the Canadian Minister of Immigration - Lena Metlege Diab, and her Private Secretary - Peter Fragiskatos. They have responsibility for the IIRC.

Perhaps if others contact them, the scale of the problem might register with them.... and action might be taken.

OP posts:
LIZS · 13/08/2025 15:30

I seem to remember dd’s came through pretty late, a few years ago now.

Skisunday2014 · 13/08/2025 16:55

Thanks for the update. We’re also checking with home institution as to understand what, if any support is available should visas not come through and enrolment dates are missed in Canada (16/9). has anyone had advice from home unis?

northlondondad1976 · 13/08/2025 17:20

DS joined a Canadian High School last year and we went through exactly the same thing. He actually went out to Canada for a 2 week camp in August and we were hoping the visa would come through whilst he was there, in which case he was planning on getting a flight out to the US and then returning straight away, so he could get the visa issued in the airport on his return. As it was he returned to the UK and we were informed the visa had been approved the following day, so he flew back to Canada 2 days later.
His school couldn't do anything, but they were prepared to let him go there and attend classes, without being an official student. Fortunately the visa came through so we didn't have to consider this option, although he did end up missing the first 3 weeks of the term.
The actual process of getting the visa issued at the airport on arrival was fairly straight forward, you just go to a big waiting room, hand in all your papers and wait around for a couple of hours. No interview or forms to fill in.

slumdogminulet · 13/08/2025 17:25

My daughter recently completed her third year, which was an international year abroad. She was supposed to spend the year in Canada but due to difficulties getting visas on time the Canadian university decided to only allow visiting students to come for one semester rather than the full year, as you don't need a full student visa for the shorter stay. It was a pain at the time, but ultimately she ended up spending one semester in Canada and a second semester at university in Australia, which was fantastic!

I think Canada decided to reduce the number of student visas from 2024 which may in part be a reason for these delays.

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 17:40

slumdogminulet · 13/08/2025 17:25

My daughter recently completed her third year, which was an international year abroad. She was supposed to spend the year in Canada but due to difficulties getting visas on time the Canadian university decided to only allow visiting students to come for one semester rather than the full year, as you don't need a full student visa for the shorter stay. It was a pain at the time, but ultimately she ended up spending one semester in Canada and a second semester at university in Australia, which was fantastic!

I think Canada decided to reduce the number of student visas from 2024 which may in part be a reason for these delays.

That’s really interesting. So went in September for one semester (on the ETA?) then managed to sort Australia after that. How amazing. Something for DS to explore.

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 13/08/2025 18:05

I did a year in America and didn’t have a student visa when I started (I had a temp working one as had done camp America) and was able to get it while I was there - is this possible?

slumdogminulet · 13/08/2025 18:10

@Radiatorvalves Yes, that's right. It was a bit stressful trying to sort out the second semester but all worked out brilliantly in the end. Hope your son gets everything worked out x

slumdogminulet · 13/08/2025 18:11

And yes, was the ETA. This was advised by the Canada university.

angelboysmummy · 13/08/2025 18:13

Same problem with my YP. Applied 23rd May with biometrics 28th and uploaded 29th. Stuck in background verification. My MP has taken some more details yesterday. Host university not answering emails to find out when we need to let them know if not attending. Residence fees due this Friday which I am reluctant to pay. Accounts office wouldn’t say if would waive the late fee but in scheme of things that’s tiny amount of what already paid out on flights etc. home university just says keep in touch with us. No guidance if can’t go.
one if the key reasons in choosing course he did was this opportunity and looks like another kick in the teeth to the ones who had to deal with COVID for their GCSEs and trips missed (hate to mention that word but it just hangs over everything)

angelboysmummy · 13/08/2025 18:18

Radiatorvalves · 13/08/2025 10:14

Ok so not much to report. Canada House wouldn’t let me in! The security guard pointed us to the IRCC and gave us the email address (which DS already had). I emailed them and got the auto response saying that they wouldn’t review/respond as my email wasn’t on the application.

i also emailed the chancellor of the Uk uni (to DS’ horror), suggesting that he do something given 40 of his students are impacted.

That was a great idea to try and see someone. We are up North or I would have done that also

Mustbethat · 13/08/2025 18:20

Is it his third year at a Canadian university? I only have experience of us uni’s but normally they get a visa for the full course? What did he do the last two years?

eta oh I think from your other posts it’s a “year abroad”?, so he’s done the first two year at a uk uni? That makes more sense!

angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 07:34

Lots of worldwide comments on this Reddit thread. But as far as I can see last UK study permit approved yesterday after applying on17th May.

Study permit megathread

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 15/08/2025 07:49

angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 07:34

Lots of worldwide comments on this Reddit thread. But as far as I can see last UK study permit approved yesterday after applying on17th May.

Study permit megathread

That’s horrendous. But thanks for posting. I’ve got him talking to his personal tutor, but not much happening. It’s the inability to talk to anyone that is so frustrating. A pp said you could go for a semester on an ETA - sounds sensible - but without official confirmation that won’t screw up future chances, he’s understandably nervous. He chose this course specifically because he wanted this year abroad… poor boy is in bits.

OP posts:
angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 09:24

We have discussed the change to an ETA then apply when in Canada but have decided the risk of something going wrong part way through studying after everything else is not something want to experience.
its of course the full implications if they can’t go-their CVs not having that different element to it to make them slightly standout. No accommodation for third year. Possibility of poor module choice for third year. Had to give up their job.
i can’t remember ever being so frustrated at something before!

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 15/08/2025 13:01

angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 09:24

We have discussed the change to an ETA then apply when in Canada but have decided the risk of something going wrong part way through studying after everything else is not something want to experience.
its of course the full implications if they can’t go-their CVs not having that different element to it to make them slightly standout. No accommodation for third year. Possibility of poor module choice for third year. Had to give up their job.
i can’t remember ever being so frustrated at something before!

Agree everything you’ve said. Last year through his uni he was selected for a 3 week study program in the us. Paid £3k…. And then the leader had an accident and it was cancelled. Got most of the money back - some in flight vouchers. But this meant he had nothing to show on his cv. And now this. It’s beyond shit.

OP posts:
angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 13:11

Oh no then this is just another thing that may end up going wrong for him. I am sorry to hear about the previous let down also

angelboysmummy · 15/08/2025 23:06

We have a permit!! Don’t know if it was because of my begging web form that had completed this morning or it was just going to happen anyway. But it has been issued and we have printed it before it somehow disappeared. No update on the tracker account to indicate this just the proper IRCC account. Has taken 12 weeks exactly to get this.
i am truly keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else waiting to hope they get sorted in time.
YP at work tonight otherwise would have been celebrating!
lots of hugs and tears as reality setting in that heading away next week-but so happy.

Skisunday2014 · 16/08/2025 05:13

Fabulous news @angelboysmummy! it’s good to hear that some are getting approved. I hope you YP has a brilliant year.

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