Immigration Minister Sean Fraser recently held an interview with ApplyBoard, a Canadian educational technology company that helps international students apply for post-secondary studies abroad.
The virtual interview was conducted on issues relating to applications, processing, and admission of international students into the country. At the end of the interview, the minister also answered questions posed in the chat box by potential applicants.
The Minister also stressed the importance of immigration and the contributions of international students to the Canadian economy while hinting at plans to develop a new pathway to permanent residency for them.
Quotes from the interview:
“Our message to international students and graduates is simple. We don’t just want you to study here. We’re hoping to create pathways that allow you to stay here and make a lasting contribution beyond your academic career. In 2021 alone, we welcomed more than 300,000 international students across Canada. That’s nearly double the number of students from the year before and it’s actually higher than pre-pandemic levels. We believe this is going to be a growth opportunity going forward as well.”
Canada currently has more than 500,000 international students enrolled in the country.
This is because Canada offers a world-class education, incredible career opportunities,
and permanent settlement in Canada.
Nearly 450,000 study permits were issued by Canada in 2021. Canada offers many advantages that most countries do not offer, including
- International students in Canada are allowed to work for 20 hours per week during a semester and have a full-time job during vacation or breaks between semesters.
- The international student can bring their spouse or common-law partner along with them to Canada. Their spouses and common-law partners can obtain an open work permit, and work for any employer without any hour restriction. They can also bring their children to Canada, and enroll them in a public elementary or secondary school without needing a study permit.
In the latest study by QS World University Rankings, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto
rank among the best student cities in the world.
Students who graduate from Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can complete their
studies and work in Canada for three years by obtaining an open post-graduation work
permit. A DLI is a program approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. A study permit is needed for an international student to study in
Canada for more than six months. International students can also count the time spent on a study permit towards citizenship residency days requirements.
The top 10 countries that were issued study permits in 2021 are:
| S. No | Name of the country: | Number of study permits issued: |
| 1 | India | 217,410 |
| 2 | China | 105,265 |
| 3 | France | 26,630 |
| 4 | Iran | 16,900 |
| 5 | Vietnam | 16,285 |
| 6 | South Korea | 15,805 |
| 7 | The Philippines | 15,545 |
| 8 | The United States | 14,325 |
| 9 | Nigeria | 13,745 |
| 10 | Mexico | 11,550 |
If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need
