IRCC is experiencing challenges keeping up with a visa backlog as a result of the sheer volume of international student applications, which some stakeholders contend have been an "additional challenge" for international students during the pandemic.

International students enrolled at Canadian institutions have said they are unable to withdraw from their courses and get refunds due to college policies and visa processing delays. 

Indian students hoping to study at Québec colleges have held protests demanding Canadian authorities speed up the processing of their visa applications.