The University of Victoria and Camosun College project significant increases in international student enrollment this fall, despite an ongoing strike by foreign-service workers who process study permits.
But other schools say their students are experiencing delays that could have an impact on final enrollment numbers.
“We’ve had so far about a dozen students who have definitely told us that they are not coming because of problems getting a visa,” said Graham Pike, dean of international education at Vancouver Island University. “Some of those we think may defer to January, but others we don’t know.”
VIU enrolled nearly 1,700 short- and long-term international students last year, which accounted for about 14 per cent of the school’s full-time students.
Royal Roads University, which registered 270 foreign students in 2012-13, expected a nearly 50 per cent increase this year. But those projections could be in doubt with a number of students still waiting to get their study permits, said Thevi Pather, director of global advancement.
“Canada Immigration is attempting to put in additional resources to support student permit applications. What may end up happening is that the students may find that they get their study permit at the end of August and then can’t get a flight here.”
The 1,350 members of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers began job action in April that later escalated to rotating walkouts. The dispute is set to go before the Public Service Labour Relations Board this week.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada said Monday it’s working to prevent visa delays for international students during the labour dispute. Its visa offices continue to operate with a core number of employees deemed essential, the government says. “CIC has hired additional staff on a temporary basis to help process visas both overseas and in Canada,” the statement said.
“Moreover, CIC is providing training on an urgent basis so that more staff can process applications, and is requesting that staff work overtime where possible. CIC is also shifting more work to Canada and to overseas offices that have additional capacity.”
UVic and Camosun both report that the strike has had limited impact on international student enrollment. UVic registered about 1,000 new international students last year and expects to see a 25 per cent increase.
Camosun, which had about 600 international students as of September last year, says it could exceed that by as much as 20 per cent. “What we’re hearing from students and agents who are recruiting students is that students seem to be getting their visas,” said Geoff Wilmshurst, director of Camosun International.
He said the greatest concern for post-secondary schools is the long-term impact on recruiting if the strike continues. “Often what happens, of course, is that when students and parents begin to hear that, ‘Oh, there’s problems getting a visa to Canada’ that can move them to other destinations.”
Lower Island school districts, meanwhile, have experienced few problems due to visa delays.
Greater Victoria superintendent John Gaiptman said some students may arrive later than usual, but there have been no cancellations yet. “When you’re dealing with young kids, as opposed to university students, these things are done well in advance and put together well in advance,” he said.
Gaiptman said Greater Victoria’s enrollment of international students will likely be similar to last year when there were about 800 long-term and 500 short-term students.
The Saanich school district expects to see a 10 per cent increase over last year, when it enrolled about 304 full-time equivalent international students.
Principal Bob Lee said visa delays may affect a few students, but none have cancelled. “We’ve had some indication from agents overseas that they’re still awaiting word [on visas],” he said.
