Why More Students Prefer to Immigrate to Canada?
Fri Mar 03, 2023
Why More Students Prefer to Immigrate to Canada?
Canada has several PR immigration programs that honour applicants who are connected to
Canada, either through work experience in the country, ties to a particular province, or with a
Canadian academic credential. International students who are presently studying in Canada
must specific requirements of their respective study permits during the course of their stay in
the county. If an international student infringes on the terms and conditions of the study
permit, it will jeopardize their immigration application.
Additionally, many students are unaware that there are immigration programs that necessitate
skilled work experience, which might seem like a disadvantage to international students.
Nevertheless, most international graduates living in Canada are entitled to apply for the post
graduation work permit which entitles them to work in the country and acquire valuable work
exposure.
5 Immigration Programs Available to International Students
There are five immigration pathways open to international students who are presently
studying in Canada. Although each program has its own unique requirements apart from
completing studies in Canada, the immigration pathways listed below enable international
student graduates an accelerated road to attaining Canadian Permanent Residency. Several of
these programs function via Canada’s Express Entry program which is a federal system for
handling PR applications.
The five immigration programs are:
1. Canadian Experience Class
2. Post Graduation Work Permits
3. Federal Skilled Worker Program
4. Quebec Immigration Options
5. Provincial Nominee Programs
Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class functions under the Express Entry immigration program. It is
the quickest way to seek Canadian permanent residency. Although there are multiple
eligibility factors in this program such as language proficiency, education level, age, and ate
least twelve months of skilled, full time work experience in the country in the past three
years. If an international student meets these minimum requirements and especially the
required level of work experience, the Canadian Experience Class is an excellent immigration
path. One point to note about the CEC program is that international students are not allowed
to include the work experience they acquire during their study programs. Nevertheless,
international students who successfully graduate are eligible to apply for the post-graduation
work permit which will enable them acquire the required work experience under the CEC
program.
Post-Graduation Work Permits
This pathway is not related to the PR program. Nevertheless, it permits international students
who completed their studies at a Designated Learning Institute to stay in the country after
their study periods and work in Canada. This is valuable experience that may help a
graduated student qualify for the permanent residency program either through the Provincial
Nominee Program or the Canadian Experience Class. It is important to note that not every
program offered through DLIs are qualified for the post-graduation work permit.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program functions via the Express Entry aspect of the
immigration system. This is also a feasible option for many international students who
graduate from Canadian programs. Contrary to the CEC program, this one not necessitate that
prior Canadian work experience. If an international student graduate has attained skilled
experience in his or her native country, they can apply for the FSW program.
This is a merit-based immigration system that utilises a Comprehensive Ranking System. It
allots points to rank prospective candidates against each other, giving candidates with
competitive profiles the opportunity to seek permanent residency. If international students
have a competitive score on the CRS scoring system and meet the eligibility conditions, then
the FSW pathway is most suitable to permanent residency.
It must be noted that this program does not require international student applicants to possess
a minimum of twelve months of full time skilled, work experience, attained in any country.
International student who do not possess prior work experience, are not eligible for this
program.
Quebec Immigration Options
Quebec is the only province which operates with its own, unique immigration system. It has
specific procedures and requirements which are quite different from the rest of Canada.
However, the province of Quebec has similar immigration programs as the rest of the
country. The province’s immigration programs are created to equip international students
with the advantage of applying for permanent residency.
Quebec has two permanent residency program pathways geared for international students
studying in universities in the province.
These are the
1. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
Under this program, students must complete their academic program or be within six months
of completion at a designated institution or university in Quebec. To be eligible for the PEQ,
international student have to demonstrate advanced knowledge of spoken French.
2. Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)
This option is applicable to international students studying or near completion of their
academic programs in Quebec. Contrary to the PEQ program, QSW does not require
applicants to meet a mandatory French proficiency requirement. However, applicants are
required to meet minimum score requirements on the points-based assessment system of the
program.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Every province in the country has its own immigration program. These are called Provincial
Nominee Programs or PNPs. Each PNP operates differently because they are created to
address the requirements of the specific territory or province. Most PNPs prefer applicants
possess a connection to the territory or province such as previous studies or work experience
acquired. To be eligible for the PNP, the international student must apply to the province or
territory where they completed their academic programs.
US Immigration for Students
In comparison, students studying in the United States who have four years under the H1B
visa category, are eligible to apply for permanent residency, also called the green card. This is
granted based on the applicant’s specialized knowledge. Applicants need to seek approval
from their employer where they are currently working to seek a green card. The applicant has
to undergo several stages in the application process. First their application needs approval,
followed by a labor permit, and then approval of the green card, before being granted the U.S.
citizenship. The immigration process for students in the US is definitely more cumbersome
compared to Canada. In addition, the average tuition fee for international students varies
between USD 20-60K per year. In comparison, the tuition fees in Canada is half the amount.
Furthermore, unlike other countries, international students studying in Canada have multiple
options to seek immigration to the country. These pathways are related to the student’s work
experience, eligibility requirements, age, and other specific criteria listed in each program.
International students who are presently in Canada and are considering immigrating to the
country, should carefully review the five immigration programs available and apply
accordingly.
