Pursuing higher education is a dream with no borders. That dream is becoming more attainable for African students seeking to study abroad in Canada.
Historically, Canadian student visa1 approval rates have been low and processing times long for applicants from many African countries. But this is changing. The average approval rate for the top five African source countries2 rose from 28% in 2021 to 40% in 2022, while as of June 2023, the average processing time for new Canadian study permits was 11 weeks or less for residents of Canada’s top five African source countries.3
Earlier this year, we looked at emerging African source markets in Canada. Today, we’ll delve into improving approval rates and processing times in African countries from the past year and beyond, shedding light on the rising tide of opportunities for African students to access world-class education in Canada.
Key Insights at a Glance
- In June 2023, the average processing time for new Canadian study permits was 11 weeks or less for residents of Canada’s top five African source countries.
- The average approval rate for the top five African source countries rose from 28% in 2021 to 40% in 2022.
- Overall, approval rates for all African countries increased from 30% in 2021 to 36% in 2022.
- In 2022, 73% of ApplyBoard’s Nigerian students were approved for their student visa, nearly double the rate for all Nigerian applicants.
Canadian Study Permit Approval Rates for African Applicants Hit a Seven-Year High
Over the past two years, there has been a steady improvement in Canadian study permit approval rates for African students, as the chart below shows:
Approval rates for African students hovered just below 30% before hitting a low of 22% in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. But rates rose to 30% in 2021 and 36% in 2022, and early numbers for 2023 remain consistent. African applicants are still approved at a lower rate than applicants from the rest of the world, but the gap has narrowed in the last seven years, with approval rates across Africa getting closer to global approval rates.
In 2023, African and Caribbean countries accounted for the seven highest rates of study permit refusal on the basis of finances over the past two years. Learn more about why applicants from certain countries are more likely to be refused a Canadian student visa.
Last year, the Government of Canada’s Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration conducted a study to address the issue of low study permit approval rates, particularly among students from Francophone Africa.
The committee made 35 recommendations, including:
- Making the study permit application process more transparent
- Reducing application processing times
- Allowing more flexibility for evidence to establish that an applicant meets the financial criteria.
While it remains unclear whether these changes have positively impacted increasing approval rates, the encouraging trend suggests progress, even though more work still needs to be done.
Shifting Approval Rates for Top African Source Countries
Last year, the average approval rate for the top five African source countries rose to 40%, marking a 12-percentage point increase from the previous year. Let’s take a closer look at how approval rates have changed for top African source countries over the past seven years:
Among these countries, Ghanaian applicants experienced the most significant increase in approval rates, from 18% in 2021 to 44% in 2022. Algeria also saw a considerable increase, from 19% to 36%. Among all African countries, South Africa and Mauritius boasted the highest approval rates in 2022, at 78% and 83%, respectively.
In the past two years, the Nigerian market has garnered significant attention for its meteoric growth across destination markets, including Canada, where it is now the fourth-largest source market for international students. Rising approval rates have helped fuel that growth, from 18% in 2020 to 34% in 2021 and 37% last year.
Learn more about why we expect Nigeria to become the next major market in the international education sector within the coming decade.
Canadian Study Permit Processing Times for African Applicants Show Significant Improvement in 2023
The journey to study abroad can be both exhilarating and challenging for African students, with visa processing times often being a significant hurdle. However, there is encouraging news on that front as well. Let’s take a closer look at the average study permit processing times for key African source countries in 2022 and 2023:
As of June 2023, the top five African source countries have an average processing time of 11 weeks or less for prospective students, a significant improvement compared to historical trends. Students from countries like Ghana and Morocco experienced processing times upwards of 16 weeks in the past 12 months.
In 2023, Nigerian students experienced a significant improvement in processing times for study permits, with an average waiting period of 7 weeks—a remarkable 29 weeks faster than the 1-year high of 36 weeks recorded in September 2022. In comparison, smaller source markets like Togo, Benin, Mauritania, and Niger still face processing times of six months or more.
These fluctuations in processing time can be stressful for many students. However, recent government investments, such as hiring more visa officers, demonstrate a commitment to reducing processing times. This positive trend suggests growing potential for the region’s educational opportunities, leading to a stronger 2023 outlook for African applicants.
Impact of Higher Approval Rates and Faster Processing Times on African Students
How have rising approval rates and falling processing times impacted the growth of African student populations in Canada? The following chart helps tell the story:
In 2022, there was a surge in study permit approvals for the top five African countries. As mentioned, Nigeria has seen remarkable growth over the past two years, growing from just over 2,000 approvals in 2020 to almost 14,000 in 2022. But on a percentage basis, Algeria, Cameroon, and Ghana saw even more rapid growth over the past year, with each nation doubling its approval numbers.
It’s worth mentioning that this growth took place while processing times averaged 17 weeks for the top African markets in May 2022. For instance, Ghanaian students experienced waits as long as 20 weeks in May 2022. Nevertheless, Ghana led the way for other African countries, with a 256% increase in approvals in 2022.
With decreasing processing times and approval rates trending toward the average among all countries, many African markets are poised to exhibit strong growth in 2023. This positive outlook bodes well for students seeking opportunities in Canada.
Looking Forward
The future looks promising for African students seeking to study in Canada as approval rates increase and processing times improve. At ApplyBoard, we’re proud to have contributed to this success. In 2022, 73% of ApplyBoard’s Nigerian students were approved for their student visa, nearly double the rate for all Nigerian applicants.
While there’s been steady progress in 2022 and the first half of 2023, further work is still needed to make the process even more accessible and efficient for African students. As we look ahead, Canadian institutions and policymakers need to sustain their commitment to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for African students. By fostering an environment that nurtures diversity and embraces international talent, Canada can solidify its position as a preferred destination for higher education students from Africa and worldwide.
As pursuing higher education transcends borders, Canada’s efforts to welcome and support these students pave the way for a brighter, more interconnected future where knowledge and cultural exchange flourish globally. Canadian institutions looking to leverage these positive changes and attract more African students to study in Canada can:
- Stay up to date on educational trends, policy changes, and consultation opportunities to improve the student journey for African students looking to study in Canada.
- Utilize a document verification platform such as ApplyProof to validate student visa application letters and documents quickly and securely.
- Keep track of current study permit processing times to better prepare students for their study abroad journey by understanding how long processing might take.
- Continuously work towards improving and streamlining the admissions process for students by understanding why applicants from certain countries are most likely to be refused for a Canadian student visa.
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FOOTNOTES:
1. The terms student visa and study permit are generally used interchangeably for Canadian international students. Rather than student visas, Canada provides accepted international students with study permits, which allow those students to enroll in classes at Canadian institutions. When a student is accepted for a study permit, they are also usually provided with a visitor visa, which allows that student to enter Canada for their studies.
2. The top five African source markets, Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, and Ghana, are determined based on the number of new study permits issued in the calendar year.
3. All data courtesy of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
