International Student Mobility & Immigration in Canada Sophia J. Lowe Metropolis, Tampere 2013

Canadian Context Positive view of immigration Immigration (fed/prov), Education (prov) Ageing Canadian population & consistently low fertility rates Labour shortages persist in key sectors (high and low skill levels) – despite economic downturn By 2030, all population growth will be due to immigration Immigrants are highly educated (70% have some post- secondary education) – many do further PS studies in Canada © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Underutilization of Immigrants Immigrants are highly educated Underemployment and underutilization Major barriers; lack of credential recognition, language barriers, lack of ‘Canadian experience’, employment discrimination Many immigration policy responses; getting the “right immigrant” – attracting and retaining international students as new immigrants Immigrant responses; seeking Canadian education and credentials and for many, return migration 3 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Migration Flows to Canada, © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Since 2005, 55% growth in the international student entrants, and virtually no change in growth for entrants of economic immigrants

“Designer Immigrants” Canada has been following the lead of, and competing with, other countries by shifting immigration policies for international students High level of interest by international students to work and immigrate Reliance on huge differential in fees; 2012 average Ontario undergraduate domestic fees ($7,181, virtually unchanged) vs. international ($19,060, up almost 9% from the previous year) International students spend $8 billion in Canada, translating into $4.9 billion GDP contribution, 86,570 jobs, and $455 million government tax revenue 5 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Attraction, Stay and Retention of International Students Canadian government has introduced significant initiatives: Marketing, scholarships and processing More flexible work permits –Off‐Campus Work Permit Program (2008) –Post‐Graduation Work Permit Program (2006 & 2008) International student immigration pathways –Canadian Experience Class (CEC) (2008 & 2012) –Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) (2005+) –Ministerial Instructions (2008) –Skilled Worker PhD Stream (2011) 6 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Changing Student Demographic International Students: In 2012, +104,000 international students entering Majority in Ontario (36%), B.C. (31%) and Quebec (17%) Between 2003 and 2012, 92% growth in international student entrants in Ontario Major demographic shift of source countries; Indian students over the last two years went from 3,250 (2008) to 13,136 (2012) Tightening immigration policies in other areas make student migration more likely 7 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Entries of International Students in Ontario, BC and Quebec, CIC, Facts and Figure 2012

Total entries of foreign students by top six source countries, © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved. CIC, Facts and Figure 2012

Study Levels are Changing 9 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved. University enrolment has remained constant over the last 10 years International students attending ‘Other Post- Secondary’ institutions (e.g. Language Schools and Private Colleges) has more than doubled in that time As of January 2014, new regulations to only allow study permits to those at ‘designated institutions’

International Students arriving with previous credentials & professional experience 10 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Previous work experience, GBC 2010

A Closer Look at the Changes Are students staying, and for how long? Relatively low take-up on the CEC –Only 8% of all CEC entrants in 2012 were international students and their dependants –This is 747 people in 2012, or less than half a percent of economic entrants that year (about 60% of all immigrants entering Canada) In 2012, most students are transitioning to PR through the FSWP (3,067), then PNPs (1,573) and family class (1,359) Major growth in international students transitioning to temporary foreign worker (TFW) status (5,627 in 2005 to 24,932 in 2012) –In 2012, ~32,000 TFWs transitioned to PR status through economic streams (unclear whether they were previously students) –Working in Canada, but leaving? 11 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some Challenges; Getting to Canada Current visa office strikes, backlog, delays and reputation at risk (drop in visa approvals by 15%, PAFSO) “Crackdown on Crooked Consultants” – some (smaller) institutions challenged/scared of providing information to prospective students about immigration Students with previous studies; advanced standing, opportunities for credential recognition? News/gossip and experiences travels fast! Many other study destinations 12 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some Challenges; Getting Settled 78% of international students would like more chances to experience Canadian culture 58% report not having Canadian friends or having very few Canadian friends (CBIE Survey results, quoted in the Globe & Mail, Aug 28, 2013) International students are ineligible for federally funded settlement services; Settlement is generally outside the mandate of institutions Students want to stay (Ryerson University survey showed 87%) but is it too cumbersome? Challenges finding meaningful (skilled) employment; necessary for most immigration routes 13 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conclusions Global competition is increasing for international students International students in Canada are growing and they bring significant benefits; especially as more have the potential to stay permanently Canadian policy makers see students as promising permanent immigrants and are designing policy accordingly International student numbers are growing and flows are changing: this has an impact who comes, why they do and what they need International students are staying to work, not necessarily to immigrate permanently Policy changes don’t actually circumvent all the issues of credential recognition and labour market access and integration For Canada to compete as a study and migration destination, fostering a welcoming environment that supports full labour market access and which utilizes all migrants’ skills will be critical 14 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Questions? Sophia Lowe Manager, Community Engagement WES Canada 15 © 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.