The introduction of Express Entry categories for permanent residency (PR) applications last year has already reshaped the landscape for recently graduated international students in Canada, especially those from India.
There were 1,040,985 international students in Canada in 2023 (with 41% of them from India) - and the vast majority intending to apply for PR after graduation coupled with 12 months of skilled Canadian employment. However, these category changes have made obtaining permanent residency (PR) more challenging, notably for those who decided to study in Canada prior to its implementation.
The argument for category-based rounds of invitations in the Express Entry system provide a focused approach to select candidates who possess specific skills, qualifications, and work experience (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture and French language proficiency). By aligning with Canada’s economic goals and provincial demands, this category approach helps contribute to Canada's overall economic growth and development strategy.
However, students who do not qualify for the required categories find themselves competing in an increasingly competitive general (non-category) stream as there are now fewer available spots for them. At the end, these students will have no other recourse but to return to their home countries after investing their educational and work experience efforts in Canada.
Our recent research covering the experience of international students highlighted another trend: a growing number of Indian international students are moving to Québec despite their aspirations to remain in Ontario. The motivation for this move is to learn the French language which will put them in a more favorable position to apply for PR in the less competitive French language proficiency category.
Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for Canada remains positive. The new system aims to attract PR candidates trained in high-demand sectors that will ultimately benefit the country. While the heart of the policy change is in the right place, there is a pressing need to establish a safety net for those students caught in this transition.
To learn more about newcomers to Canada, get in touch: edward@culturaliqintl.com.
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