During the pandemic, there was a major change of course. IRCC actually asked students to pay tuition fees in advance, even though they had not yet obtained their study permit. Thousands of international students did just that. At the same time, IRCC continued to process applications for study permits.
The problem was that many people were denied study permits. Some had already paid $16,000, as an example, for a year of study. But their study permits were refused in October or November, long after the academic year had begun.
IRCC created this rule and forced applicants to pay in advance, but did not offer refunds to students whose study permits were refused. Thousands of students who paid a considerable amount in anticipation of a positive response received a negative response, and they have never been reimbursed.
We recommend that IRCC establish, as quickly as possible, a mechanism to reimburse all those who paid tuition fees, at IRCC's request, before their study permits were refused. This request is important for all international students. In addition, the situation damages Canada's reputation abroad.