The country is well known for its high standard of living and immigrant-friendly environment.
Each year, thousands of international students choose Canada for their higher studies, and it’s no wonder. The country is a remark of diversity.
Education in Canada is world-renowned, and its degrees and diplomas are internationally recognized.
In recent years, the number of international students has increased rapidly as a result of the country’s numerous benefits. Moreover, Canada is home to many world-class universities and institutes, such as the University of Montreal, McMaster University, and University of British Columbia.
Here are 7 reasons why international students are migrating to Canadian colleges & universities:
1. World’s Top Universities
According to the latest QS World University Rankings 2022, 26 Canadian universities are ranked among the top 1,000 best places to study, with ten ranked among the top 25%.
Many of Canada’s top universities are located in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, three of the most popular Canadian provinces for international students.
2. Study Permits Fast-Tracked Through Student Direct Stream
SDS was launched by the IRCC for China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam in 2018. It was expanded to include Pakistan, Morocco, and Senegal in 2019. In early July last year, Canada opened its doors to more international students, allowing students from seven more Central American and Caribbean countries to apply for the Student Direct Stream (SDS).
In the same year, the IRCC granted nearly 16,000 study permits to applicants from the seven countries now included in the SDS, including approximately 10,000 from Brazil and 4,400 from Colombia.
With the addition of 14 countries, SDS now covers a total of 62 countries. SDS is a four-year-old program that expedites the processing of study permit applications for Canadian students.
3. Post-Graduation Work Permit
A Post-Graduation Work Permit allows international students to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation and is exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements.
For some international students, the Study and Stay Program in Atlantic Canada offers a range of services to assist them in fully integrating into Canadian society. An international student stream was created to complement the now-permanent Atlantic Immigration Pilot, which offers permanent residence to graduates with a job offer from a reputable employer.
4. Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada for International Students
A certain CRS score is required to immigrate to Canada. A three-year undergraduate degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from a university adds 30 points to someone’s CRS score. As a result, they are much more likely to immigrate than someone with a similar education from another country.
One-third of international students want to immigrate to Canada after completing their studies. The extra points for study in Canada are a powerful incentive for students.
5. Labour shortage in Canada
Currently, Canada is experiencing massive job creation, resulting in labor shortages in many fields. This is an excellent opportunity for students who have skills that are ready for the workplace.
The number of job vacancies in Canada reached an all-time high of 912,600 in the third quarter of 2022, as employers and workers adjusted to easing public health restrictions and rapidly changing economic conditions, according to Statistics Canada (Canada’s national statistical agency).
