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A recent study released by Statistics Canada, a Canadian government department, has shed more light on the critical role that international students play in the Canadian economy.
The study, “International students as a source of labour supply: Engagement in the labour market after graduation“ (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2021012/article/00002-eng.htm), examines the engagement of international students in the Canadian labour market via the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).
The PGWPP allows graduates to work and live in any place of their choice in Canada without restriction on the types of jobs they can accept, once they successfully complete their education in Canada. Through the PGWPP, graduates gain the relevant Canadian work experience to qualify for permanent residence in Canada.
The study notes that the number of students participating in the PGWPP upon successfully completing their studies increased significantly, from 10,300 in 2008 to 135,100 in 2018. Even more significant, the study further notes that almost 75% of PGWP holders went on to become Canadian permanent residents within 5 years of obtaining their PGWP!
According to the study, the top six source countries for PGWP are India, China, France, South Korea, Brazil, and Nigeria.
The importance of the results of this study cannot be overemphasized. Since COVID-19 started, the Canadian government has technically paused permanent residence applications through the popular Federal Skilled Workers and the Federal Skilled Trades programs that are managed through the Express Entry system, due to a massive application backlog. If the recent updates from the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are anything to go by, it is unlikely that the pause on Express Entry invitations would be lifted any time soon. Even when the pause is eventually lifted, it is likely that many would not be invited to apply for permanent residence because of the expected increase in the minimum scores under the different programs. Worse, for some applicants currently in the Express Entry pool, their language test results and educational credential evaluation would likely have expired by the time the IRCC resumes new rounds of invitations.
On the contrary, welcoming international students to Canada has continued to remain a top government priority. Apart from the critical role that international students play in the labour market, they represent a vital source of revenue (through tuition fees) that help to shore up the finances of the many colleges and universities that are located across the country. Through the rent they pay, the groceries they buy, and their entrepreneurial zeal, they contribute immensely to the economic development and revitalization of towns and cities across Canada.
Unlike potential immigrants outside of Canada, international students continue to have access to more immigration pathways. For example, it is much easier for an international student to qualify and be selected for provincial nomination than someone outside of Canada. Additionally, international students have the option of applying for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class, an option that is not available to those outside of Canada without Canadian work experience. All said, being an international student is one of the best ways to immigrate to Canada!
If you are interested in exploring studies in Canada as a way to eventually immigrate, contact David Akinmoluwa on WhatsApp at +1-587-974-8942 or via email at info@crestimmigration.ca. We have successfully assisted many like you to realize their goals, and we will be happy to assist you.
