Stakeholders have pointed out that the challenges faced by African students in securing study opportunities in Canada are partly attributable to widespread rejections and high denial rates for study permits. However, there is contention regarding the reasons behind the alarming 75% refusal rate. Experts suggest that involving immigration lawyers can ensure accurate completion of application forms and proper communication of information to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada officials.
Further, the reports indicate that while many agents can recruit students, only a few possess the necessary competence to effectively complete study visa applications. This results in shockingly high refusal rates. Although African students excel academically, many African agents lack the resources to adequately support students and submit high-quality applications.
It has been observed that companies employing immigration lawyers or recruitment firms with qualified in-house attorneys can provide proper guidance to aspiring students. African students often fall prey to unscrupulous individuals charging tremendously high fees, while reputable companies charge significantly less for their services. The fees charged by the so-called ‘quacks’ are CAD 1500; on the other hand, reputable companies charge CAD 200 per application.
Within Canada’s U15 universities, there is a significant disparity in success rates for Nigerian students, ranging from 22% to 82%. The issue of incompetent agents extends beyond Africa and impacts students from other regions, including Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe.
One proposed solution to this problem is to connect overseas education agents with authorised immigration practitioners. This would provide ongoing support to students throughout their stay and enhance the retention of skilled individuals, aligning with Canada’s economic class immigration goals.
Among student populations holding over 2,500 valid study permits, eight of Canada’s top ten fastest-growing student populations originate from African countries.
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