We are a group of Iranian students who have been waiting for our study permit visa for more than one year and also up to two years. While the average processing time has become 32 weeks, most of us have passed this average processing time for issuing our visas.

We are committed to pursuing higher education in Canada and fully recognize the importance of thorough security screenings to ensure the safety and integrity of Canada, its institutions, and its residents. However, we are writing to express our grave concern over the disproportionately prolonged security screening process that Iranian students face when applying for study permits. We also followed up on our cases through web forms, Members of Parliament, and lawyers, but the only response from IRCC was a patient template email.

How long are we supposed to wait for our final decision? Over the past few months in 2024, Iranian students have experienced extensive delays in processing their study permits due to prolonged security screenings. These delays, often stretching for months with no update and no answer from IRCC which, have caused significant disruptions in our academic and personal lives. 

Key Concerns: 

• Lengthy Processing Times: The security screening process for Iranian students often extends well beyond the standard processing times for study permits, sometimes exceeding a year. This delay disrupts our education plans and jeopardizes our academic and professional futures. Many students have been forced to defer their studies multiple times, resulting in financial hardships, loss of scholarships, and a profound impact on our mental health and future careers.
• Uncertainty and Stress: The prolonged waiting period, coupled with the lack of clear communication about the status of our applications, creates an environment of uncertainty and stress. This uncertainty affects not only our academic progression but also our mental well-being and our families, who share our anxiety.
• Missed Opportunities: In some cases, students have had to abandon their plans to study in Canada altogether. Besides, Canadian professors are getting disappointed with accepting Iranian students, which would be an unjust perspective.
• Equal Treatment: While we fully support the necessity of security checks, we believe that the process should be fair, transparent, and timely. We seek assurance that Iranian students are not subjected to disproportionately long security screening processes compared to students from other countries.

Our Requests: 

• Expedited Processing: We respectfully request that the security screening process for Iranian students be expedited to ensure that it is completed within a reasonable timeframe and aligned with the standard processing times for study permits.
• Transparency and Communication: We urge the authorities to provide clear and timely communication regarding the status of our applications and any reasons for delays. This transparency will help alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty we currently face.
• Fair and Equitable Treatment: We seek assurance that the security screening process is applied fairly and consistently across all applicants, regardless of nationality. We ask that measures be put in place to prevent any undue delays that disproportionately affect Iranian students.
• Consideration of Human Impact: We ask that the Canadian government consider the profound impact that prolonged security screenings have on the lives of Iranian students. Our education is vital to our future, and unnecessary delays can have long-lasting effects on our careers, mental health, and personal lives. 
   

Finally, We believe that Canada is a nation that values fairness, diversity, and education. By addressing these concerns and ensuring a more efficient and transparent security screening process, Canada can continue to attract and support talented and motivated students from around the world, including those from Iran. 

Please sign this petition to support Iranian students and comment below.

Thank you for your attention and support.