Canada on target for record number of international students

New figures show that Canada is on track to welcome a record number of foreign students this year.

According to the latest figures, 103,999 study permits were issued to foreign students between January and September this year, an 11 per cent increase from the same period in 2013 (93,717) and a 26 per cent increase for the same period in 2012 (84,207).

More than half of international students entering Canada in 2013 were citizens of the following five countries: the People’s Republic of China (29,414), India (13,758), South Korea (7,284), France (7,045) and the United States (4,847).

“Our government is proud that Canada continues to be a study destination of choice for international students,” said Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister. “International students generate an estimated CDN$8 billion in economic activity in Canada each year and thousands will remain in Canada permanently, putting their education and experience to work and contributing to economic and job growth in Canada,” he added.

In June 2014, Canada announced new regulations to strengthen the country’s reputation as a study destination of choice and improve services to genuine students, while protecting Canada’s international reputation for high-quality education and reducing the potential for fraud and misuse of the programme.

Among the new regulations was the announcement that student visa holders can now work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session and full-time during scheduled breaks without the need to apply for a separate work permit. Previously, international students would have required a separate work permit in order to undertake work in the country.

Article published 10th November 2014