450,000 new students applied for new Canada study permits last year which
The number of new studies permits issued in Canada increased to nearly 450,000 last year, easily surpassing the 2019 record.
As per the Pre-covid data, more than 4 lakh students applied for a study permit, which lowered to around 2.5 lakh in 2020.
The number of students who applied for a study permit in 2021 was approximately double in comparison to the 2015 figures.
Study Permit Data by IRCC
Every month IRCC releases the data of students who got the new study permits, which includes the new students and foreign citizens already residing in the country.
In July and August, around 2 lakh new study permits were issued prior to the beginning of the academic year 2021/22.
Within the first trimester of the new calendar year, IRCC also releases year-end statistics, including all the valid study permits around the December end.
With the surge of newly issued study permits, the population of new international students in Canada touched the height. With this, the country’s international students population almost reached the levels before covid.
In 2019, nearly 640,000 international students got study permits, which fell to 530,000 international students in 2020 due to the COVID.
As per the data provided by IRCC, till the end of the year 2021, around 622,000 international students successfully received the study permits, which almost reached the levels before covid.
Due to covid, Canada introduced travel restrictions in March 2020, which affected the number of future students visiting the country.
After that, with the relief of the pandemic, the government eased the restrictions around October 2020, with which the population of international students started to recover. This is why the country witnessed the unexpected rise in the new student population in 2021.
The increased population of international students in 2021 includes the new aspirants who were willing to start their studies in Canada in 2021, as well as the ones who could not come to Canada due to covid restrictions.
Another reason for the rise in the students’ population was the ease of Post-Graduation Work Permit rules by the government.
Although, Distance learning was not countable for PGWP before the pandemic.
However, the government eases this for the students who want to continue their Canadian study plans until August 31, 2022.
In this way, international students enrolled in a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada will become eligible for a PGWP.
The PGWP is the desired program by the international graduates, which can allow them to get job experience in Canada. The international graduates needed Canadian work experience to qualify for the PR.
Instead of getting Canadian citizenship, the international students are also attracted to the country’s other factors, such as Canada’s high-quality education, multiculturalism, and safety. It will be more affordable for them to study in Canada than the other countries like U.S U.K and Australia.
Besides this, international students pursuing studies in Canada are also allowed to work. They can financially support themself and can have more job experience.
Top study permit holding countries
Country-wise, India accounts for approximately 35 % of Canada’s international students, which makes it the leading source of students to the country. China and France are next to it. The major reason for India being the leading source is its second-largest English-speaking population and its large middle-class inhabitants.
The below data depicts last year’s top 10 countries holding the most study permits.
1) India: 217,410 students
2) China: 105,265 students
3) France: 26,630 students
4) Iran: 16,900 students
5) Vietnam: 16,285 students
6) South Korea: 15,805 students
7) The Philippines: 15,545 students
8) The United States: 14,325 students
9) Nigeria: 13,745 students
10) Mexico: 11,550 students
Process of getting Canada’s study permit.
Before applying for Canada’s study permit, the student must perform research on the DLIs and the educational programs offered by the institutions.
Then, submit your application to the desired DLIs.
On the approval of the application, the DLIs provide a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to the applicant.
Once you get the LOA, you become eligible for a study permit.
After that, IRCC analyzes different aspects such as the proof of your interest in studying in Canada, your economic status to support yourself in Canada, and others.
Student Direct Stream (SDS) program is also offered by IRCC to help students from particular 14 countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Morocco, Brazil, Columbia, and others.
Candidates who have studied in Canada are often rewarded by Canada’s immigration programs.
By enrolling in Express Entry, one can earn extra points if they study in Canada, and there are a number of other streams operated by IRCC, provinces, and territories that work the same way.
According to research by the Canadian government, international graduates tend to perform better in the labor market after obtaining permanent residence.
