CIC Update on International Students

CAPS-I ConferenceMay 22, 2009

Purpose

To provide an update on:

Profile of international students in Canada

CIC recent initiatives

Possible areas for cooperation

International Student Program: Overview• The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) regulates the entry of all

international students into Canada

• Numbers driven by demand by international students for education in Canada- There are no numerical limits/quotas, but students must meet all regulatory and

program requirements

• Study permits not required for:- Short term course (six month or less)- Courses of general interest or self-improvement - Audited courses- Distance learning - Kindergarten

Increasing numbers of foreign students

Annual entries increasing in recent years- 79,459 international students entered in 2008

Total students residing in Canada (stocks) also increasing

- 178,181 students residing in Canada (on December 1, 2008)

Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Annual Entries of Foreign Students into Canada (2005-2008)

50000

60000

70000

80000

2005 2006 2007 2008

Stock of Foreign Students in Canada on December 1 (2005-2008)

160000162000164000166000168000170000172000174000176000178000180000

2005 2006 2007 2008

Students from Korea (13,933) and China (13,663) represented 35% of total annual entries of foreign students in 2008

Followed by France, USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil

Top 10 source countries represent 68% of annual entries of foreign students

Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Countries of Origin Relatively Concentrated

Annual Entries of Foreign Students - Top 10 Countries in 2008

02000400060008000

10000120001400016000

Kore

a

China

Fran

ce USA

Japa

n

Saud

iAr

abia Ind

ia

Mexic

o

Germ

any

Braz

il

Relatively large number of students entering the Secondary/Primary School Sectors

19,809 foreign students entered the secondary/primary sectors in 2008

25% of annual entries for 2008

Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Secondary/Primary School Sectors are Significant Recipient

Annual Entries of Foreign Students in 2008, by Level of Education

05000

100001500020000250003000035000

University

Sec/Primary

Other PSE

Trade

Other

Not Stated

Processing of Study Permit Applications

CIC undertaking number of initiatives to improve processing of study permit applications

78% approval rate for all study permit applications received overseas in 2008, with 65% of SP decisions finalized within 28 days

At primary level, 90% of study permit applications approved with 75% finalized within 28 days

At secondary level, 91% of study permit applications approved with 68% approved within 28 days

CIC Updates – Recent Initiatives

Introduction of Visa Application Centre (VAC) Network Private companies contracted by CIC to assist CIC Missions primarily with data

entry VACs also provide basic services (for a fee) to students/parents related to

completeness of applications and ensuring that correct documents are submitted 34 VAC offices currently available in 17 countries

On-line applications overseas scheduled to be introduced for select visa-exempt

countries for Summer 2010

In Canada, on-line applications for study permit extensions available as of April 2009 Information on how to create an account and apply on-line at

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/epass.asp Institutions to consider recommending use of on-line applications for study permit

extensions to students in Canada

CIC updates – information products

CIC currently reviewing CIC Mission websites (London website model) and student section of CIC national site

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/missions/unitedkingdom-royaumeuni/menu-eng.asp (London website)

CIC open to receiving comments through CAPS-I related to websites, guides, application forms

New international student pamphlet available by request from Distribution-Unit@CIC.gc.ca

Statistical information: Facts and Figures available on-line at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/menu-fact.asp noting that 2008 statistics still being updated

CIC Updates – Employment Programs

Working Off Campus- Any publicly funded, post-secondary educational institution or certain programs in private post-secondary institutions authorized by

provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees, located within a province/territory that has signed an MOU with CIC- Open work permits for duration of study- 16,538 Off-Campus Work Permits issued in 2008

Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)- Any course/program delivered by a university, community degree-granting college, CÉGEP, publicly funded trade/technical school, or

private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees- Open Work Permit, valid for up to 3 years- 17,829 Post-graduation Work Permits issued in 2008

Working On Campus- Any course/program delivered by a university, community degree-granting college, CÉGEP, publicly funded trade/technical school, or

private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees- Full time studies, no Work Permit required

Co-op and internships- No limitation currently on type of educational institution, noting that the co-op or internship must be an essential part of the program of

studies- In BC, since province of British Columbia requires high school students to complete work component as requirement of graduation,

international students in grade 11-12 eligible to apply for Co-op work permits http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf (page 58)

- Work should not represent more than 50% of the total length of the program of studies- 9,985 Co-op work permits issued in 2008

CIC Updates – Best Practices Exercise and Possible Areas for Cooperation

CIC currently undertaking broad exercise to identify best-practices that CIC and stakeholders currently undertake to attract, recruiting, and retain international students in Canada

CAPS-I participating in Best-Practices exercise

Cooperation between CIC and stakeholders important to implement useful practices Increasing use of existing tools that facilitate processing of study permit applications (e.g. use

of VAC services, on-line applications, standard letters of acceptance) Improve communication materials for students/stakeholders Ensure completeness of study permit applications and documentation Establish codes of conduct for recruitment of international students Consider pooling of resources to undertake continuous marketing, establish year-round

presence, and develop contacts in key source countries

CIC will be developing public documents on “best-practices” based on input received from provinces and territories and stakeholders (including CAPS-I)