The Growing Crisis for Palestinian Graduate Students at U of T
International students form a vital part of Canada's higher education landscape, bringing diverse perspectives and research talent to universities like the University of Toronto (U of T). However, a cohort of estimated 12 Palestinian graduate students accepted into U of T programs are caught in a protracted battle to secure Canadian study permits, essential documents issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allow foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions.
The University of Toronto, one of Canada's top research institutions, relies heavily on graduate students in fields like engineering and sciences. These Palestinian applicants represent highly qualified candidates eager to contribute to Canadian academia while pursuing dreams of rebuilding their homeland. Their predicament highlights systemic hurdles in study permit applications for applicants from conflict zones.
A First-Hand Account: Nour's Journey from Gaza to Potential Deferral
Nour, a prospective PhD student in Civil and Mineral Engineering at U of T's St. George campus, embodies the human cost of these delays. Accepted in May 2024, she submitted her study permit application in June 2024 alongside her family. Trapped in Gaza, Nour cannot complete the mandatory biometrics—fingerprints and photographs—required by IRCC, as the nearest collection centers are in Cairo, Egypt, inaccessible without crossing the closed Rafah border.
Pre-war, Nour taught since 2008 as a teacher and part-time instructor. Now, with Gaza's infrastructure devastated—including all 12 universities destroyed—daily life involves unstable electricity, intermittent internet, and constant airstrike threats. Her children's education suffers, and her own research aspirations are on hold. Deferred multiple times, her enrollment is now slated for September 2026, but she fears further postponements. "University of Toronto… [is] a very big university," she urges. "I think [the university] can push IRCC to expedite our visas."
Stories like Nour's are not isolated; they reflect the desperation of talented scholars whose futures hang in bureaucratic limbo.
Understanding the Biometrics Roadblock and Study Permit Process
The Canadian study permit process involves several steps: obtaining an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) like U of T, proving financial sufficiency, demonstrating ties to home country, and submitting biometrics within 30 days of application. For Palestinian students from Gaza, the biometrics step is insurmountable. No IRCC centers exist in Gaza, and borders to Egypt or Jordan require permissions often denied amid the ongoing conflict.
- Step 1: Secure university acceptance and funding.
- Step 2: Apply online via IRCC portal, pay fees (CAD 150 study permit + CAD 85 biometrics).
- Step 3: Provide biometrics at Visa Application Centre (VAC)—impossible for Gazans.
- Step 4: Undergo security and background checks, which can extend delays.
- Step 5: Receive approval and port of entry letter.
Section 12.8 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) permits biometrics exemptions when "impossible or not feasible," yet IRCC has not applied this to Palestinians, unlike for Ukrainians under the 2022 CUAET program.
Beyond U of T: A National Challenge in Canadian Higher Education
The issue extends nationwide, with over 130 Palestinian graduate students accepted into 26 Canadian universities, mainly in STEM disciplines like engineering, computer science, and physics. IRCC reports 150 pending applications from Palestine. Universities such as University of Waterloo (where two accepted students died in a December 2024 airstrike), University of Regina, and others grapple with similar deferrals.
Canada's recent study permit caps—aimed at managing housing pressures—have reduced overall international enrollments by 60% in some areas, but Palestinian delays stem more from conflict-specific barriers. These students, fully funded and merit-selected, represent lost opportunities for Canadian research labs facing talent shortages. For context, international graduate students contribute billions to Canada's economy and innovation ecosystem.
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U of T's Stance: Flexibility Amid Limited Advocacy
U of T has shown sympathy, offering multiple deferrals to preserve spots for affected students. A spokesperson noted: "We understand how stressful it is for students… to face delays or not be able to get study permits. We try to be as flexible as possible for international students [in these situations], including deferring offers of admission." The university maintains contact with IRCC on processing times but stops short of robust lobbying.
Critics like PSSAR argue institutions must do more: "The University of Toronto alone should advocate for these 12 students. You’ve admitted them based on merit." Departments, such as Nour's, extend grace periods, but expiring grants risk permanent losses. U of T's international student office provides guidance, yet students seek stronger institutional pressure on federal authorities.
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PSSAR and Grassroots Advocacy Pushing for Change
The Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk (PSSAR) network, led by Nada El-Falou, matches Gazan academics with Canadian supervisors, covering application fees. They've documented "Dangerous Delays," a February 2026 report highlighting systematic biases, with Palestinian applications lingering 18-19 months versus weeks for others.
El-Falou states: "[There is] no real justification for this delay." Social media campaigns like #IRCCLetThemStudy amplify voices, drawing comparisons to swift Ukrainian processing. Learn more via PSSAR Network.
IRCC Policies: Security vs. Humanitarian Needs
IRCC insists all applications meet requirements for "system integrity and Canadian safety," citing missing biometrics and extended security screenings. No safe passage facilitation exists for Gaza, unlike some European nations. Temporary measures for Gaza/West Bank focus on those already in Canada, not incoming students. Processing times for Palestine lack public estimates, fueling transparency concerns.
Advocates decry this as discriminatory, especially post-UN genocide findings. IRCC met PSSAR but deemed visas "not a priority." Broader 2024-2026 caps exacerbate pressures on universities dependent on international tuition.
Check official details at IRCC Crisis in Palestine page.
Human and Academic Impacts: Lives on Hold
Delays erode students' mental health, finances, and opportunities. Displaced multiple times, many like Meera at University of Regina lose passion amid tent living and losses. Two Waterloo students perished before arrival. Research labs suffer voids; grants expire, forcing pivots to European offers with faster visas.
- Personal Toll: Disrupted education, family separation, health risks.
- Academic Loss: Delayed contributions to Canadian STEM.
- Economic Ripple: Reduced diversity in higher ed.
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Photo by aliffian arief on Unsplash
Proposed Solutions and International Precedents
Solutions include biometrics waivers under IRPR 12.8, expedited processing, and university-led evacuations like Italy's corridors or UK's scholarships. PSSAR recommends coordinated government response, prioritizing funded STEM admits. Universities could jointly lobby, mirroring CUAET success (over 1 million Ukrainians assisted).
- Waive biometrics for Gazans with verified identities.
- Streamline security for accepted students.
- Fund border crossings or remote biometrics tech.
Read the full Varsity report for deeper insights.
Outlook for Palestinian Students and Canadian Higher Ed
As 2026 unfolds, advocacy intensifies amid IRCC caps and elections. Positive signs: U of T deferrals hold spots; PSSAR grows. Yet without policy shifts, more offers lapse, deepening Canada's talent gap. These students aim to "rebuild Gaza as scholars," blending personal ambition with global good.
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