Study plans for abroad shattered as Visa application processing halted across Punjab

Prabhjeet Singh is not the only student, whose plan of moving abroad have been affected. As per migration agents and experts, more than one lakh students in Punjab have been forced to stay back and wait till the global lockdown lifts.

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There are more than one lakh student whose files for visa processing. (Representational Photo)

Prabhjeet Singh of Zirakpur, who is on a study visa to Sydney, Australia, had returned to India in October last year, and had planned to take his wife back with him in April on a study-spouse visa. However, his plan has now been spoiled now, courtesy of the coronavirus pandemic.

Singh is not the only student, whose plan of moving abroad have been affected. As per migration agents and experts, more than one lakh students in Punjab have been forced to stay back and wait till the global lockdown lifts.

“I had planned to take my wife to Australia, for which she had to undergo a medical fitness test and other documentation for the visa process which was to be done at VFS global. But now since VFS centres are not functioning, the whole process is on halt,” said Singh.

Nikhil Saini, another student from Chandigarh, is also waiting for the lockdown to end, to lodge his file for a Canadian visa. Saini was to fly to Canada in March to start a course in web designing and programming at a university in Montreal, Quebec. He has already paid his fee to college, and the GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) which is around 10,000 Canadian Dollars. “I had paid my fee in February, and my classes were to begin from April onwards at the University in Montreal. But then the university asked me to join in May. If the lockdown doesn’t open in May as well, my intake will be deferred to September. The biggest issue, however, is the validity of IELTS exam score, which will expire in August,” added Saini.
Anish Gupta, migration expert for Australia, Canada, Europe, USA, said that the migration business has come to a halt as the authorities are not functioning, the borders are sealed, and flights are halted.

“There are more than one lakh student whose files for visa processing as are hung at present, as the medical fitness test cannot be conducted. Fees also cannot be sent to the college because VFS centres are not working even though banks are fully functional,” said Gupta.

Even those who have obtained visas cannot fly as flights are cancelled, and even parents of many students are dilemma whether to send their child abroad or not, she added.

Australia universities admit students in June and September. For students going to Canada, the intakes are available in May, September, and January next year. If the lockdown does not open soon, the students and people who are forced to stay here will surely have to reschedule their plans. The migration industry will also be facing a deep economic loss, said Gupta.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More