The number of international students coming to Canada was not much affected by COVID-19.
The Canadian Government by inviting 4,50,000 students through different nations on study permits set a record. Canada invited 4 lakh students in 2021 despite of pandemic situation.
Before the pandemic, Canada had welcomed four lakh students on study permits. This figure fell to 2,55,000 during COVID times.
The IRCC releases data every month showing the data of all fresh study permits. This includes both category o of students coming from abroad as well staying in Canada.
During July and August, new study permits came into effect. Around two lakhs of them entered the country before the academic session of 2021-22 began.
The IRCC has always delivered its former year’s immigration statistics by the first quarter. This data will contain the content of all the valid study permits released by the end of the year. Although the number of study permits did not decrease much and have recovered well after the pandemic. The statistics show that around 6,22,000 study permit holders were counted as of 31 December. In comparison with only 5,30,000 study permit holders during the pandemic in 2020.
In March 2020, The Canadian Government had put several restrictions on travelers coming to Canada which too impacted the international study permit holders from entering. Within 6 months these restrictions were eased for study permit holders which increased the number of study permit holders. The number of study permit holders passively leaped because of study permit holders of 2021 coming in Canada as well as previous year students who couldn’t enter the country because of the travel restrictions.
One more reason for the increase in international students was the relaxation in PGWP eligibility. The Post-Graduation Work Permit never counted virtual classes towards eligibility until the pandemic. This policy is only implemented till August 31,20202 to assist the students aiming to peruse future studies in Canada.
International students enrolled at any Canadian government-approved college, University, or institute (Designated Learning Institutes) are the ones matching the eligibility for PGWP. This program allows international students to gain work experience which is further required for applying for Canadian PR.
Apart from getting Canadian PR, the students are also attracted to the exclusive educational facilities, security, and cultural diversity prevalent there. There is a high opportunity of part-time jobs widely available for students which makes it easier for students to achieve financial independence. This is one of the reasons why Canadian education is less expensive.
Indian students still account for about 35% of the total international student population which makes it ranks on number one, followed by China and then France. Indians are the largest English-speaking populations in the world which make them positioned at second rank in English speaking and the majority of Indians belonging to the middle-class category of the society are the reasons for a large number of Indian students moving to Canada.
Below is the list of top 10 countries international students come from according to 2021
- On top, it’s India with 2,17,410 students
- 1,05,265 Chinese students
- 26,630 French students
- 16,900 students coming from Iran
- 16,285 Vietnamese student
- 15,805 study permit holders’ coming from South Korea
- 15,545 students came from the Philippines
- 14,325 students came from the United States
- 13,745 Nigerian students
- 11,550 Mexican students
The procedure for getting a study permit from the Canadian Government starts by searching for the disciples and Designated Learning Institutes of Canada. After selection of the program and the institutes, the selected students are offered a Letter of Acceptance from the institute which is further submitted to the IRCC as proof for obtaining a study permit. For approval, the IRCC evaluates if the student is strongly willing to study in Canada and would be able to financially support themselves through their education.
A faster way for getting a study permit available for people belonging to some of the specified countries like India, Pakistan, Peru, and Columbia and rest.
Various Canadian immigration programs reward students who graduated in Canada with additional points. Streams like the Express Entry system and PNP programs offer rewarded points for the Canadian study experience. This is also one of the reasons why the outcomes from the international graduates in the Canadian Labor Market come out to be strong.
