“Afghan Women Seek Refuge in Canada Amid Visa Cuts”

The story of Nilab is one of bravery and resilience. In 2021, while preparing to flee Afghanistan, she found herself at a bank in Kabul, trying to pay for her sister’s passport. Dressed in her work attire, Nilab faced the harrowing reality that taxi drivers refused to take her home due to fear of Taliban reprisal for not being accompanied by a male guardian.

At just 29, Nilab had a promising career and was studying at the American University of Afghanistan. Her father worked for the U.S. government, making their situation even more dire when they were forced to escape. “There is no way back to Afghanistan,” she said during a video call from her dorm in Qatar, where she’s been studying computer science for three years. Due to safety concerns, her identity is kept concealed.

Returning to the homeland she fled is unthinkable. “They would torture us. They would kill us,” she fears. Sadly, both Nilab and her sister now face deportation from Qatar, as the funding for their studies through a USAID program was cut, leaving them without support.

Friba Rezayee, the executive director of Women Leaders of Tomorrow—a Vancouver-based non-profit that connects Afghan women with scholarships—shared that, when the funding was halted, many women were “left to cry.” Amidst the uncertainty, Nilab and up to 25 other women are hoping for a better future at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. This initiative is bolstered by efforts to raise half a million dollars to cover their tuition and transportation to Canada.

They are making progress, and the university has committed to supporting these students through its Project Resilience, which aims to provide financial aid to those fleeing conflict. University President Jeff Keshen voiced their commitment, stating they are ready to offer free housing and meal plans. “We’re one of the places in Canada that actually has the capacity,” he adds, noting their availability to accept more students.

However, the process of getting study permits can be slow, with students often facing high refusal rates or delays. Keshen has emphasized that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for clearing up the backlog, as many deserving students remain in limbo waiting for their applications to be processed.

Despite these challenges, Rezayee and her team continue to strive for a seamless transition for these women into their new lives in Canada. They are actively seeking volunteers in Regina to help newcomers acclimatize, whether by showing them around the city or helping them navigate healthcare services.

For Nilab, connecting with the University of Regina offers a glimmer of hope, not only for herself but also for her sister. The two are currently separated from the rest of their family, which has found refuge in the United States. She feels a longing for normalcy: “It is like part of your body is here, another part is with them.”

Nilab dreams of pursuing a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, while her sister wishes to study cybersecurity. The current situation is bittersweet, as she reflects on her halted journey toward education: “If the Taliban hadn’t disrupted my life, I would have graduated by now.”

Yet, even amidst turmoil and uncertainty, she remains hopeful that Canada will be her next chapter, “another hope” of completing her education, even if it isn’t in the United States.

For international job seekers like Nilab and those exploring opportunities in Canada, understanding pathways through immigration policies can be crucial. At VisaJobsCanada.com, we support individuals navigating the Canadian job market, especially those seeking visa sponsorship. We focus on connecting international applicants with jobs that provide the necessary backing to work in Canada. If you’re considering a move to Canada, make sure to explore our listings that can guide you on your journey.