Why are international students studying in Canada?
The number of international students in postgraduate credential programs in Canada has grown an impressive 13%. This is more than double what the past five years have reported. Undoubtedly, this trend is projected to continue, becoming one of the main reasons foreign students choose Canada as a place to study.
There are two main reasons to study abroad:
- You want to continue your education outside of your country;
- You want to immigrate permanently or temporarily to Canada.
International students are choosing to study in Canada for many reasons. Some of these include educational excellence, opportunities to work and live while studying, freedom of choice, and support networks that help them achieve their educational goals.
According to Statistics Canada, International students in 2019 made up the majority (67%) of graduates from college programs. The report continued “8 in 10 international students who completed a college postgraduate credential in 2015 gained permanent residency within five years of graduation.”
What options are available to international graduates to obtain permanent residency?
Canada has a rigorous pathway to attain permanent residence status. However, Canada does take into consideration that international students are at an advantage. Some characteristics they possess include:
- Highly skilled in their field of study
- Having acquired transferable job skills
- Having more of an entrepreneurial spirit
The pathway to permanent residence in Canada is excellent. There’s a higher opportunity for international students who’ve graduated from a Canadian college or university to be granted permanent resident status.
There are a variety of pathways to permanent residence in Canada. One of the most common for university graduates is the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. This program requires applicants to have at least one year of full-time work experience or education in Canada (or abroad) before applying.
Another pathway for international graduates is The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP). This program allows international students to work in Canada after they have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution.
Have you recently graduated from a Canadian university/college?
You may be eligible for one of many different categories of permits other than the two mentioned above. Are you looking to gain permanent residence in Canada? If yes, mana immigration’s team of experts will find the pathway best fit for you. Fill out one of our assessment forms and our immigration experts will respond promptly.