As Palestinian students face Canadian visa delays, France steps in, granting swift access to education and spotlighting Canada’s immigration hurdles.
France Steps Up for Displaced Students
In the wake of delays by Canadian immigration, several Palestinian students hoping to pursue graduate studies in Canada have instead been welcomed by French universities over the past two weeks. Professors advocating for these students say the move underscores Canada’s lack of urgency and preparedness in handling visa processing for scholars at risk.
Delayed Dreams for Dozens
Dozens of Palestinian students who secured scholarships or admission letters from top Canadian universities remain stranded, facing prolonged processing times from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). According to the group Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk (PSSAR), the delays have forced some to accept offers in France, with several already arriving there to begin their studies.
Visa Barriers Amid Conflict
Canada’s IRCC acknowledged challenges in conducting biometric security checks in Gaza, citing the lack of infrastructure on the ground. Even students who managed to leave Gaza reported no further communication from Canadian officials after submitting visa applications. The process contrasts sharply with France’s response, which included direct evacuation assistance and biometric processing in nearby countries like Jordan.
Firsthand Account from Marseille
Ihab, a biomedical engineering graduate from Gaza, had hoped to attend the University of Alberta. Despite submitting his visa application in April, he received no updates from Canadian authorities. By contrast, his application to a French university was accepted within weeks, and he successfully relocated to Marseille with help from the French government.
Institutions Destroyed, Aspirations Persist
With Gaza’s universities, including Al-Azhar University, reduced to rubble amid the ongoing conflict, education options for many Palestinians have vanished. Students like Ihab represent a larger cohort whose academic futures are in limbo due to delayed responses from host countries. Some who initially accepted offers from Canadian institutions like the University of Calgary are now withdrawing in favour of faster-moving alternatives like France’s Université Grenoble Alpes.
Growing Criticism of Canada’s Efforts
Advocates say Canada’s system forces Palestinian students to navigate their own escape routes out of Gaza. While IRCC claims over 1,750 Gazans have cleared security checks and 864 have arrived in Canada, critics argue that these individuals received no direct evacuation help from Ottawa.
Diplomatic Leverage Makes the Difference
France’s coordination with Israel to facilitate the safe passage of students has drawn praise and contrast. “France has had a strong, clear stance against the war in Gaza,” said Ayman Oweida of PSSAR. “Canada should be able to do what France did.”
Looking Ahead
Canada currently maintains that all international students must meet full immigration requirements, including study permits and letters from designated institutions. But as France continues to provide a lifeline to students in crisis, pressure is mounting on Canada to re-evaluate its process—and its priorities.
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