Applicants with PTE (Pearson Test of English) scores of 57, 58, and 59 are receiving Canada visas, even though the benchmark score is 60.
Despite the tensions between India and Canada, study visa applications are still being processed and approved at a high rate, with a success rate of 85-95%. This means that students have a good chance of getting a study visa for Canada, even if their scores are close to the required minimum.
The success stories of students with IELTS scores of 6 bands and PTE scores of 57, 58, and 59 are a testament to the belief that dreams can come true even with too many odds.
IELTS and PTE centres in Punjab, especially in the Doaba region, which is a hub for such centres, are seeing a student visa success rate of 90-95%, even after the standoff between India and Canada came to light. Some centres have even reported an 18-19% increase in their visa success rate over the past month.
Despite the strained relations between India and Canada, visa centres have seen a surge in student visa applications, and most of these applications have been processed since the crisis began.
Sumit Jain, from Jain Overseas, one of the largest IELTS centres and overseas consultancies in the state of Jalandhar, said that they have been processing between 250-300 student visa applications per month and that their visa success rate has been between 90-92% in the past month, even though most of the applications were processed after the crisis began.
Jain said that it is a nice gesture on the part of both countries that they have not created any hindrance for student visa applicants. As a result, the visa success rate is high and visas are being issued within 12 to 20 days. He added that his consultancy recently received 205 visas in a single day, all of which were applied for after August 10 and September.
Some students have faced rejection many times but haven't given up. One determined student was rejected eight times before finally succeeding on the ninth attempt. Sunil Kumar said that this unwavering spirit is what drives those who aspire to study in Canada.
In the first week of this month, we have already received several visas for students who applied after September 20. Visa processing is online, so it doesn't matter if it is taking place in India or Canada. The visa process hasn't changed, and the success rate is still over 90%. Students are even getting visas with 5.5 bands in one module and 6 bands overall.
It's not just students and their parents who are getting visitor visas to reunite with their children in Canada. Visas in the tourist, business, investor, work permit, and Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) categories are being issued at the same rate as before. Gurpreet Singh said that in many cases, students who are getting study visas are applying for spouse visas immediately.
In one case, a spouse visa was even received in just 22 days, despite the conflict between the two countries. Sunil said that the Canadian government is welcoming people and keeping its immigration policies open because the Indian community has a large presence in Canada and is doing well there.