Maple News reports that several international graduates and temporary foreign workers were denied permanent residency in Canada due to what they claim were accidental misclassifications under the French-language immigration stream, even though they say they applied under the English-speaking options.
Himanshu, an international student in Canada, says he meticulously selected the English-speaking International Graduate stream during the high-pressure launch of Canada’s now-closed Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence (TR to PR) pathway on May 6. “I’m 100 percent sure I selected International Graduate. Me, my brother, and a couple of friends were watching me as I applied,” he told Maple News.
The TR to PR pathway, launched in 2021 as a limited-time opportunity, offered a first-come, first-served process for essential workers and recent graduates to gain permanent residence. English-speaking applicants had to act quickly, as each stream had a strict cap – 40,000 applications for International Graduates and 30,000 for essential non-healthcare workers. Once those thresholds were met, the streams were closed indefinitely.
However, a number of applicants like Himanshu and Sandeep Singh Ghotra say they were incorrectly assessed under the French-speaking streams, which they never intended to select. Ghotra, a computer engineer with a decade of experience, applied under the English-speaking stream for essential workers. “I know how computers work. I would never make such a basic mistake,” he said, expressing disbelief over the mix-up.
Dozens have gathered in online groups to raise collective concerns, pointing to rumors of technical glitches during the rushed application process. Problems included fee payment errors and instances where more applications were accepted beyond the official cap – such as the 7,300 extra applications in the International Student Graduate stream.
In response to mounting complaints, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) dismissed the idea of a system error. According to an IRCC spokesperson, applicants clearly had to select their preferred stream from a dropdown menu that explicitly labeled the French-speaking streams. “Applicants are assessed based on the stream they selected,” IRCC said in a statement.
The department reiterated that once a stream reached its cap, it was automatically removed from the portal, ensuring applicants could not select closed streams afterward. Still, the discrepancy between applicant claims and IRCC’s stance continues to prompt frustration among those who say a single click dashed their hopes of permanent residency.
This situation underlines the importance of vigilance during tight-window immigration opportunities and raises broader questions about accountability in such high-stakes digital processes.
Maple News will continue monitoring developments as affected applicants search for clarity and potential remedies.