International Students In Canada – A Record-Breaking Year In 2022
In 2022, Canada welcomed 551,405 international students from all over the world, shattering previous records. The US, the UK, and China are the top three countries for international student enrollment as of 2019.
International students who want to stay in the country where they finish their studies flock to Canada in record numbers. Canada is no longer an underrated worldwide location for higher education, and many international students are interested in the straightforward route to permanent citizenship it provides. For more than 20 years, the world’s top ten countries to live in have consistently included Canada, which also has one of the most robust educational systems.
International Student Growth Since 2015
After a tough pandemic year, the number of international students worldwide who received their first Canada student visa climbed by 150% from 2015 to 2022 (From 219,035 to 551,405).
The statistics showed that after the pandemic-related decline in 2020, Canada saw a prompt return to pre-pandemic levels, with the number of international students In Canada in Canada rising by nearly 24% in 2022 compared to 2021. Canada broke a record by welcoming over 550,000 new international students in 2022, the most significant single-year increase in international students since 2000. After a complicated pandemic year in 2020, international students quickly decided to resume their studies at Canadian universities last year. The following graph shows Canada’s global student population changes over the last eight years. (2015-2022):
Study permit holders by country of citizenship and year in which permit(s) became effective, January 2015 – December 2022 | ||||||||
Country of Citizenship | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
India | 31,920 | 52,625 | 82,935 | 107,020 | 138,615 | 80,885 | 169,460 | 226,450 |
China | 65,860 | 76,840 | 82,690 | 84,980 | 84,155 | 57,760 | 55,900 | 52,165 |
Philippines | 1,880 | 2,895 | 2,750 | 4,070 | 6,330 | 4,360 | 14,365 | 25,380 |
France | 11,860 | 11,825 | 13,220 | 13,415 | 14,515 | 7,935 | 20,020 | 16,725 |
Nigeria | 6,325 | 6,160 | 5,945 | 6,505 | 7,505 | 5,840 | 9,530 | 16,195 |
Iran | 2,340 | 2,960 | 4,675 | 7,035 | 9,680 | 6,965 | 11,925 | 13,525 |
Republic of Korea | 14,735 | 15,935 | 16,700 | 16,860 | 16,995 | 10,930 | 10,600 | 11,535 |
Japan | 6,040 | 6,685 | 6,530 | 6,680 | 6,665 | 3,485 | 7,605 | 10,955 |
Brazil | 6,350 | 7,295 | 8,865 | 10,245 | 10,230 | 6,040 | 8,545 | 10,405 |
Mexico | 4,225 | 4,905 | 5,440 | 5,750 | 6,255 | 3,650 | 9,710 | 10,405 |
Colombia | 1,295 | 1,675 | 2,375 | 3,275 | 4,445 | 3,010 | 6,845 | 10,150 |
Total unique persons | 219,035 | 264,285 | 314,995 | 354,290 | 400,660 | 255,695 | 444,260 | 551,405 |
Demographics
International students attending Canadian institutions are primarily coming from Asia. IRCC statistics for 2022 show that almost 50% of all international students come from two countries: India, with 226,450, represents about 41% of enrollments, and China, with 52,165, represents about 9%. The Philippines (25,380), France (16,725), and Nigeria (16,195) send the next-greatest number of students.
Asia
Looking at the numbers, it’s Asian countries that remain at the top of the Canadian rankings for total international students In Canada in 2022. Asian countries accounted for six of the top 10 countries in 2022 ranked by international students in Canada. The sheer volume of students from countries like India, China, and the Philippines is enough to vault these countries to the top of the rankings. Interestingly, they fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels and increased significantly in 2022.
South and North America
South and North American countries significantly contributed to Canada’s record-breaking year, mainly from an emerging markets perspective. Three countries out of 10 ranked by the number of international students In Canada came from Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
Africa
Africa enormously contributed to Canada’s record-breaking year, mainly from an emerging markets viewpoint. Nigeria ranks fifth in the top 10 rankings, building on steady growth that’s caused it to bloom into an emerging market in Canadian international education.
Europe
Since 2000, most European countries have consistently been interested in studying in Canada. The number of European students in Canada has fluctuated slightly but remained steady for the past 20 years. In 2022, we were seeing a surge in the number of European students coming to Canada. Last year, France came fourth in the top 10 rankings.
Looking Forward
Students are once again excited to pursue their educational dreams in Canada. Not only are annual top source markets expressing interest in Canadian institutions, but we’re also seeing a host of emerging markets return in droves. With high immigration targets, the PGWPP, and a welcoming culture, Canada looks to rank as the top country for international student enrollment shortly.
Why does Canada have so many international students?
Canada remains one of the top destinations for international students for various reasons, including the quality of education, affordable tuition and living expenses, and multicultural classrooms and societies. However, Canadian immigration pathways for international students are the main drivers of this trend.
The PGWPP (Post-Graduation Work Permit Program) is a fabulous program for international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) and would like to gain valuable Canadian work experience after receiving an Open Work Permit. It is a once-in-a-lifetime work permit; it will be issued only once. This program is one of the bridging mechanisms for international students In Canada to transition from temporary resident status to permanent residency. An opportunity for International Students to earn back their investment in their education in Canada. Return on investment is high even if the international student doesn’t qualify for PR.
Canada is one of the few countries that provides international students with options to settle permanently in the country. Moreover, pursuing a Canadian education is one of the best ways to increase one’s eligibility for immigration.
The path from student to immigrant usually involves obtaining a PGWP and acquiring the minimum necessary eligible full-time work experience (one year). From here, students can apply for permanent residence through one of Canada’s immigration programs. A specific stream has even been created within the Express Entry managed programs with these individuals in mind—the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
In 2022, 53,725 international students In Canada (On Open Work Permits) transitioned from PGWP to permanent residence in Canada.
Pathway for Permanent Residency
1-Through Canada Express Entry System (Federal Economic class)
You may have heard about Express Entry, Canada’s primary economic immigration system. Since Express Entry was introduced in 2015, the system has given some advantages to international students In Canada who completed studies in Canada. Express Entry favours young candidates with Canadian work and study practice and language ability, giving students and graduates in Canada an excellent chance of obtaining permanent residence. The most substantial change was the addition of up to 30 points in the CRS score for those who have completed a Canadian post-secondary educational credential.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC Canada)
Suppose you’re looking for a standard route to permanent residence for international students In Canada. In that case, a path already travelled by many of your peers — look no further than the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This immigration program allows individuals who have worked in Canada for at least one year to immigrate permanently.
After graduating in Canada and getting a post-graduation work permit, knuckle down and complete a year of skilled work, prove your language ability through a recognized test, and enter the Express Entry pool. If you don’t have enough CRS points to get an invitation to apply soon after, see our tips on improving your CRS score.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP Canada)
Another way international students In Canada who want to enter the Express Entry pool is as skilled federal workers. Essentially, you have to score at least 67 points on a grid that assesses age, language ability, work experience, whether or not you have a job offer in Canada, and certain adaptability factors, including the previous study in Canada. This may be the route for you if you haven’t completed a year of skilled workers in Canada but have done so abroad. There is also a third Express Entry program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP Canada), for qualified tradespersons.
2-Through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs Canada)
Like the federal government, Canada’s provinces also want international students and graduates to stay. If Express Entry is not an option for you now or soon, or if you are struggling to meet the CRS cut-off thresholds in Express Entry draws, you should consider the PNPs. When considering permanent residence for international students In Canada through the PNPs, please consider the province you graduated from and the province you want to live and work in. Some areas may allow you to apply even if you graduated in another province, while others restrict applications to those who graduated there. Most regions have the International Graduate Stream, High or Semi-Skilled Workers, and express entry stream. Some require the applicant to have a job offer, and some do not.
Canada Student Visa FAQs
There is no predetermined period in which you must arrive in Canada before beginning your study program. You must simply show up to have enough time to be ready before beginning your study program. Before beginning your studies in Canada, you are not permitted to work on or off campus.
Study permits automatically expire on the date indicated on the study permit or 90 days after written certification of program completion becomes available, whichever occurs first.
You must stop studying and working immediately if you don’t apply to extend your study permit before it expires.
Suppose your application for a Canada study permit has been accepted, and you change your intended place of study. In that case, you must submit a new application for a study permit and a new acceptance letter. Additionally, you must pay all applicable fees for your new study permit application.
A foreign national is exempt from the study permit requirement in the following situations:
- Minor children already inside Canada by themselves or on a visitor status
- Family members and members of the private staff of accredited foreign representatives
- Members of the armed forces of a country designated for the Visiting Forces Act
- Short-term courses (less than six months in length)
- Registered Indians
A study permit typically has a processing fee of 150 CAD. The cost of the biometric plus any other third-party testing, including medical exams, raise the initial processing cost.
The study permit does not allow the students to enter Canada because it is not a visa. In addition, they might require either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa (study visa), but not both. You will receive one with your study permit if the IRCC approves your initial application.
Yes, you might apply if:
- You will study full-time and would like to work on campus,
- You will study full-time as an exchange student and would like to work on and/or off campus, OR
- You might extend your studies after your original course/program ends
As soon as you receive an acceptance letter from a Canadian institution or university, we advise you to apply for a study permit. Depending on the country where you are applying, it may take up to three months to receive a Canada student Visa.
Getting an acceptance letter from a Canadian university may make it appear like the challenging part is finished. But the reality is that obtaining a Canada student Visa might be far more difficult than you imagine. About 35% of all applications for study permits are turned down, according to figures from the IRCC.
Yes. As long as your extension application was made before the end of your permitted stay, you may remain in Canada as a temporary resident until IRCC makes a decision on your new permit application.
The visa officers will refuse your application if they do not satisfy that your intention to study in Canada is genuine. This may occur if you fail to include a statement of purpose that explains why you want to study in Canada and how your study program will help you reach your professional objectives.
In Canada, there are often no interviews for study permits. If the visa officer so decides or in the case of inadequate visa application materials, an interview may be necessary.
There is no age limit specified to get a Canadian student visa.
A study permit’s validity period is equal to the length of the program of study plus 90 days after program completion or the applicant’s passport’s expiration date, whichever comes first.
20 hours a week are the maximum you can work. You violate the terms of your study permit if you work more than 20 hours per week. If you do this, you risk losing your student status and having future requests for a study or work permit denied. You might even need to leave the country.
There is no specific age limit, but there are a few factors to consider when applying as a mature student to be successful.
For a course or study program lasting six months or less, you do not require a study permit if you currently reside in Canada. If you plan to take classes for more than six months, you must obtain a Canada student visa.
A visa is not what your study permit is. You might also require an eTA or a visitor visa. The IRCC will provide you with your study permit if they approve your initial application.
You can request to have your study permit changed if it does not explicitly specify that you may work or accept employment in Canada, but you are qualified to do so. Completing a co-op or internship work placement is a requirement for some educational programs in Canada.
- Student’s Background Matches the Selected Program.
- Financially Stable Students.
- Age of Students.
- Level of Education the student is Applying to.
- Education GAP.
- When to Apply.
How Can We Assist You?
At ARNIKA VISA, we help you to find the most tailored strategy to achieve your immigration goals. From filing the immigration forms to guiding you through supporting documents, we take care of it all. We can assist you entirely or partially based on our different packages.
We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC on your behalf as an authorized representative. Suppose you want to discover how the RCIC can help you. In that case, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.
Wow, it’s great to hear that 2022 was a record-breaking year for international students in Canada! The increase in study permit approvals is a testament to the country’s reputation as a top destination for higher education. However, I’m curious to know how Canadian universities and colleges are preparing to accommodate this influx of international students. Are there any measures being taken to ensure that these students have a smooth transition into Canadian academic life and feel supported during their stay? How are institutions addressing concerns around housing, mental health, and community building in the face of this growing demand?
Great, thanks for your valuable comments. We agree that educational institutions in Canada should adequately address all these concerns.