The Federal Court has ruled that an immigration officer erred in denying a study permit to a student from Iran. Sanaz Mohammad Abadi had applied to study at Langara College in order to fulfill the conditions of a job offer from her Iranian employer. However, she was denied entry when an immigration officer did not believe she had sufficient reason to pursue the program in Canada and was “not satisfied [Abadi] would depart Canada at the end of her authorized stay.” Justice William Pentney stated that several of the officer’s conclusions were unreasonable or not properly supported, and said that officers must engage with the evidence presented by the applicant and provide reasoning justifying the refusal. Abadi’s case will now be re-examined by a different officer.
