An International Student Survey was conducted in 2021 and CBIE recently published the results of this survey. Over 41,000 students were surveyed from 67 educational institutions in Canada.
The survey comprised the details shared by the students associated with all aspects of Canadian studies. The details they shared were based on their decision to study in Canada, their studying experiences, and post-graduation.
The Canadian Board of International Education (CBIE) works toward modernizing and broadening international education in Canada to spread awareness about the several advantages of studying in Canada. It is an organization working on a non-profit basis.
Canada’s safety and security encourage international students to study
Canada’s safety and security determine the choice for international students. 80 percent of international students decided to study in Canada with safety being the dominant reason. Canada’s reputation as an education hub for most international students is because of the security it provides to individuals. 70 percent of international students decided to study in the country due to the high reputation of the educational institutions available here. 50 percent of the individuals participating in the survey considered other factors, such as diversity, tolerance, and engaging culture contributing to their decision.
Students channelizing their funds in Canada
As per reports, students afford their Canadian studies through their family members, parents, and grandparents.
Most students (over one-third) depend on off-campus work, their own savings, or their families.
Possibility of International students working in Canada
Students who come under the enrolled category of a Designated Learning Institute will have an option to work even without attaining a work permit. To qualify for eligibility, you should fulfill the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled in a full-time study program with a duration of at least six months and that is certified or considered as a diploma.
- You should have already started your study program.
- You must possess a SIN (Social Insurance Number).
You will have to work up to twenty hours per week throughout your study course. You could even work multiple jobs to compensate for the number of working hours. If you get any academic break, you could continue working full-time jobs.
The option of working on campus is available to students if on the last day their enrollment is based on full-time. An exception to this is if the part-time students in the last semester don’t need to complete a full-time course for graduation.
International students are widely accepted
Students reported in the survey that as far as their living experience is concerned, they have been widely accepted and welcomed during their course of study.
Once they arrive in Canada, their journey is pretty effortless. Although the most challenging task for them is to find suitable and affordable accommodation. Another difficult task was acquiring a Super Visa while receiving an acceptance letter from an educational institution is considered the most effortless task.
Students conveniently built their social networks by mingling with other international students who belonged to the same community. They even reported that building a network outside the familiar areas wasn’t easy.
Students prolong their stay in Canada after graduation
Most of the respondents claimed to have plans after post-graduation. They confirmed their wish to stay in Canada by becoming permanent residents. Few affirmed that they would like to gain considerable Canadian work experience before returning to their native countries.
Candidates seeking permanent residency status in Canada can opt for the following pathways, once they complete their studies:
Post-Graduation Work Permit
The first step for those students who complete their studies in Canada is to apply for a PGWP. Applying for a PGWP is the best pathway to acquiring good work experience in Canada so that their path to permanent residency becomes clear.
Post-Graduation Work Permit is the best alternative for recent graduates to gain work experience under a Canadian employer. The duration of the program will depend upon the length of the program, up to three years.
Programs below the duration of eight months are not applicable for PGWP. A program that is either two years or above is applicable for up to three years.
Canadian Experience Class
Express Entry’s most common program under PGWP is the Canadian Experience Class. Once a student completes his graduation and attains work experience of one year, the Canadian Language Benchmark reaches the minimum score of 5 and the CLB minimum score of 7. He will be eligible to apply for Express Entry.
As a full-time student, if you have gained work experience in Canada then that particular work experience will not be calculated in the context of Express Entry’s work experience.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Territories and provinces in Canada function on their own set of PNPs. Such programs are a pathway for covering the Canadian labor market needs. Usually, these provinces develop programs for freshly graduated international students, with different eligibility criteria.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
Quebec Experience Program applies to those candidates or international students who graduated in Quebec. To become eligible under the PEQ, you must be 18 years old, have French language proficiency, and hold a solid intention of living and working in the province.
Figuring out other alternatives
There is an availability of over a hundred immigration programs for international students.
Atlantic Immigration Program
If any international student has graduated from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Peter Edward Island (PEI), or even Newfoundland and Labrador, they can apply for the AIP.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong nationals have the option of attaining permanent residency status in this program.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
International students intending to work and settle in Canada’s rural or northern areas can opt for the program.
