Positive signal to international students as Canada sets immigration targets

Canada’s international education strategy has been successful largely because of the country’s reputation for straightforward immigration pathways. International students are given the chance to stay in the country and apply for a work permit after completing their studies.

The Canadian government has announced plans to welcome some 1,233,000 new permanent residents into the country between 2021 and 2023. The targets were published by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Canada now aims to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023 – a goal which stakeholders have said will be partly achieved by international students remaining in the country after their studies.

“These newly announced immigration targets are a positive signal to international students that Canada is eager to welcome skilled talent from around the world,” according to Wendy Therrien, the director of research and external relations at Universities Canada.

Cosmina Morariu, senior manager of Fragomen, a leading law firm that deals with immigration services, explained that a study permit is one of the main gates into Canada.

“It allows you to come and study and then after you finish your studies you can get a post-graduate work permit, which is an open, very flexible permit that allows you to work for any employer, at any location in Canada,” she said.

“The maximum duration you can get on that permit is three years, so it is very convenient. The moment you have one year of employment in Canada you can apply for permanent residence.”

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