The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (British Columbia) Society (FACL BC) is concerned about recent restrictions affecting access to Law School Admission Council (LSAC) services for individuals with Iranian citizenship or residency, including reports that Iranian-Canadian dual citizens residing in Canada have had their accounts restricted.

Although these restrictions arise from changes to U.S. sanctions, their impact is directly felt in Canada. In periods of geopolitical conflict and rapidly changing sanctions regimes, apparent overcompliance by private institutions can have immediate consequences for individuals seeking access to education and professional opportunities in Canada.

The restriction of services based on Iranian nationality, including for dual citizens living outside Iran, raises serious concerns about discrimination and equality of access to Canadian legal education. Canadian applicants should not face barriers to the legal profession because of their nationality or because a U.S.-based service provider applies foreign sanctions more broadly than required.

FACL BC Director Nyusha Samiei, acting in her personal capacity, has raised these concerns with law schools in British Columbia and other legal institutions. Canadian law schools have begun considering accommodations for affected applicants. The University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law has publicly confirmed that it will waive the LSAT requirement for applicants unable to access LSAC services because of these restrictions. The University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law and Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty of Law have also acknowledged the issue and indicated that they are considering accommodations for the current admissions cycle. 

FACL BC welcomes these steps and encourages Canadian law schools to ensure that affected applicants are not disadvantaged. Applicants whose LSAC accounts have been restricted should also contact LSAC directly, as some affected individuals residing outside Iran have been able to regain access after providing additional documentation.

More broadly, this situation highlights the vulnerability created when access to Canadian legal education depends on a U.S.-based institution subject to foreign laws and sanctions. FACL BC encourages Canadian law schools to work together on immediate accommodations and longer-term safeguards, including consideration of Canadian-administered alternatives.

FACL BC remains committed to equity and meaningful access to the legal profession in British Columbia and across Canada.