Students in Gaza Struggle to Leave for Canadian Universities

Approximately 130 students from Gaza, accepted into various Canadian universities, are unable to leave the war-torn region due to visa processing hurdles. The Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk Network reports that while these students have received acceptance letters from over 25 Canadian institutions, many are trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare exacerbated by their current circumstances.

Desperate Circumstances of Aspiring Scholars

Among these students is Shima’a Arafa, a 24-year-old who was accepted into the Master of Science in Epidemiology program at the University of Alberta in March. Arafa described her acceptance as a “glimmer of hope,” vital for her aspiration to address the infectious diseases plaguing Gaza. “Most universities here in Gaza have been destroyed, and my professors and most supervisors here have been killed. So, there is no good place to continue your education,” she explained during a Zoom interview.

Arafa, who holds a degree in nursing and has spent the last two years assisting injured Palestinians, faced significant challenges just to submit her application. She recounted how she risked her safety to find an internet connection amidst the chaos, stating, “I had to walk just to have good internet connection under bombardments, under random airstrikes.”

Once accepted, Arafa was required to complete biometric processing for her study permit, which she claims is impossible in Gaza due to the destruction of facilities. “I feel so disappointed and anxious because I can’t sleep even at night because all my future depends on this moment and this step,” she said.

Another hopeful student, Riman Rezeq, 23, has also been accepted into the University of Alberta, specifically for a Master’s program in Elementary Education. Rezeq expressed her frustration with the visa process, stating, “We are facing a chicken and egg situation. We cannot leave Gaza without a visa, and we cannot obtain a visa because we are unable to complete our biometric requirements.”

Living in a tent with her family, Rezeq has experienced severe conditions, having been displaced multiple times due to the ongoing conflict. “After graduation, I was looking for opportunities to complete my studies outside Gaza because our universities were destroyed or turned into shelters,” she noted. Like Arafa, she has attempted to navigate the visa process but claims that Canada has not provided any exemptions for Palestinian students in Gaza.

Ongoing Challenges and Advocacy

The situation is further complicated for Abdullah Hassan, a 30-year-old who left Gaza over three years ago. He completed his biometrics and medical exam for a study permit to attend the University of Toronto for a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology. Despite fulfilling all requirements by March 2025, he is still awaiting approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). “It’s been over nine months, and I’m disappointed and frustrated,” he shared from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Hassan emphasized that many Palestinian students are facing similar struggles, highlighting widespread delays in processing and a feeling of discrimination against them. “There are more than thirty students outside Gaza who did their biometrics, and some of them are waiting for more than 12 months,” he said. He expressed a desire to return to Gaza after completing his studies to contribute to rebuilding the region.

In response to these challenges, advocacy groups, including the Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk (PSSAR), have called on the Canadian government to consider exemptions for these students. At a recent press conference, Nadia Abu Zahra, a professor at the University of Ottawa, criticized the government for not acknowledging the dire circumstances faced by these students. “The government is effectively blocking visas, even for those who are eligible and have complete applications,” she stated.

Canadian Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab has maintained that students in Gaza must adhere to the same visa processes as all other international students, with no exceptions. Critics argue that this stance fails to consider the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, where two students have already been killed and many others have lost their admissions due to the conflict.

While some European nations, such as France, have facilitated safe passage for students through government-coordinated efforts and by making exceptions to visa application rules, the Canadian government has not followed suit.

In a statement to CTV News, IRCC acknowledged that some students have been experiencing increased processing times for their study permit applications but reiterated that all prospective international students must meet Canada’s immigration requirements before traveling.

As these students wait for decisions that could significantly alter their futures, their hopes remain tethered to a complex and daunting immigration process, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by those in conflict zones seeking education and opportunity.