IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2021: International Students
Context
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manages the International Student Program and issues study permits to foreign nationals seeking study in Canada.
The International Student Program is demand-driven. In 2019, there were close to 720,000Footnote 1 study permit holders in Canada.
Demand for Canada’s study offerings was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with economic loss estimated between $377M and $3.4B in 2020-2021.
Provincial/territorial ministries of education are solely responsible for designating institutions eligible to host students based on pre-established criteria to ensure their quality.
Study Permits Holders by Year in which Permit became effective, 2015 – June 2021Footnote 1
2015
219,068
2016
264,295
2017
316,867
2018
358,190
2019
401,220
2020
256,740
2021 January to June
151,850
There are three phases to the International Student Program:
Study
Work
Stay
Scope of Impact
International students are a significant and growing contributor to the economy.
Over $22.3B annually in 2018, greater than exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft
Over a 61% increase in study permits issued between 2015 and 2019
Canada ranked 4th in study destinations in 2019, up from 7th in 2015
The education sector is increasingly invested and reliant on international students.
International students are also a promising pool of talent to be tapped for temporary work or permanent residency:
Increasing number of graduates are remaining post-graduation to work, up from 55,581 in 2016 to 121,011 in 2020
In 2019, close to 59,000 former study permit holders became permanent residents, an increase of 89% since 2016
A number of program flexibilities were introduced during the pandemic.
Travel exemptions were provided for students attending institutions with COVID-19 readiness plans.
Program elements were adjusted to allow for online/distance learning realities.
Student work authorizations for health occupations and post-graduate had their work permit duration extended, allowing graduates more time to gain Canadian work experience and qualify for permanent residency.
One-time, highly facilitative, exceptional permanent residency pathway was created for eligible international graduates.
Processing Innovation
Prioritized study permit processing and provided clients additional time to submit missing documents.
Biometric requirements were exempted for in-Canada study and Post-Graduation Work Permit Program applicants.
Strengthened Collaboration
Proactive engagement with provinces/territories and stakeholders to keep them informed of COVID-19 facilitation and mitigation measures.
Student Program: Study – Work Experience – Options to Stay
Study Phase
Foreign nationals destined to academic, professional or vocational training programs that are longer than six months in duration require a study permit.
A student must meet all requirements:
Be accepted at a designated Canadian educational institution
Meet admissibility requirements (i.e. financial, security and medical)
All study permit holders are required to enroll at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and actively pursue their studies for the duration of their studies.
Unaccompanied minor international students must have a custodianship arrangement in place at the time of application for a study permit to ensure there are adequate arrangements in place for the care and support of the child while in Canada.
IRCC conducts program monitoring to ensure students respect these requirements.
Post-secondary DLIs report to IRCC twice annually on the enrollment status of international students, allowing IRCC officers to investigate those who may be non-compliant and take action against them.
Facilitated processing available through the Student Direct Stream for those who meet upfront criteria (e.g. health, financial) in select markets (e.g. India, China, Philippines, Colombia, Vietnam).
Current Program
Work Phase
Eligible students can work on- and off-campus and participate in co-op programs during their studies.
International student graduates of public universities and colleges are eligible for an open work permit up to a maximum of three years, based on the duration of their program of study (i.e., Post-Graduation Work Permit).
Private career colleges are excluded, with the exception of those in Quebec.
Accompanying spouses may be eligible for work permits.
Stay Phase
All pathways to permanent residence (e.g. economic, family immigration programs) are available to international student graduates.
Bonus points are awarded in Express Entry for Canadian study and work experience in permanent residency programs (e.g. Canadian Experience Class).
Considerations
Rapid and significant growth in the International Student Program
A welcome development, including for the education sector and provinces/territories.
Managing rapid growth in the demand for Canada’s study offering requires long-term solutions, to enhance client service and address capacity constraints.
Program integrity and compliance efforts require ongoing collaboration with provinces/territories.
Composition of student migration is changing and being monitored
International students are largely from India, destined to short-term college programs and concentrated in Ontario.
Access to work and permanent residence is driving student demand and the proliferation of course offerings, which is affecting the quality and integrity of some programs.
Monitoring the impacts of the pandemic and lessons learned is ongoing
The pandemic continues to impact all three phases of the International Student Program, but paves the way for program improvements and innovation to ensure the successful and safe return of international students to Canadian campus.
International students are an important feeder group for permanent residency yet impacts of the pandemic on their short and long term success in Canada are not yet known.
Key Takeaways
Attracting, selecting, and retaining international students is an important and growing responsibility for IRCC.
Significant growth and strong linkages across all three program phases (study, work, and stay) brings opportunities and challenges.
IRCC will continue to monitor the impacts of the pandemic on international students including the need for further facilitations (e.g. distance learning facilitations associated with the Post-Graduation Work Permit).
Canada’s approach to international students involves the education sector and provinces and territories, and is well positioned to support economic, immigration and labour market objectives post-pandemic and over the longer term.
