Effective December 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing a significant change in the procedures for international students aspiring to study in Canada. Last week, Marc Miller, the immigration minister, revealed three new measures designed to strengthen the integrity of Canada's International Student Program.
The changes forthcoming for aspiring students in Canada are as follows:
This crucial alteration marks a pivotal shift in applying for studies in Canada, impacting how prospective students navigate their educational journey there.
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Mr. Miller emphasized, "International students are talented, bright, and deserve a positive experience while studying in Canada. We're committed to enhancing Canada's International Student Program by safeguarding students and deterring those who seek to exploit them. Whether students choose to stay and work after graduation or return home, our aim is for their time in Canada as students to contribute to their personal growth and aspirations."
Let's dive deep into a comprehensive analysis of the recent changes for international students in Canada, examining each modification and its implications:
Effective in just one month, a new "enhanced verification process" will be implemented to safeguard prospective students from Letter-of-Acceptance fraud. This initiative mandates all post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to utilize a more comprehensive verification solution. Starting on December 1, this process will systematically verify all letters of acceptance for overseas study permit applications before assessing them. The goal is to validate post-secondary letters of acceptance, providing better protection against fraud for both students and designated learning institutions.
This framework aims to offer advantages to Canadian post-secondary institutions recognized for delivering a superior standard of services, support, and outcomes for international students.
IRCC has consulted with DLIs, provinces, territories, and national education associations. They will use the feedback gathered to refine the planned framework for implementation by the fall 2024 semester. They have recently conducted tests on the framework with some DLIs, enabling refinement and improvement of the model.
In 2022, Canada had a considerable increase in international student numbers, exceeding 800,000, reinforcing its status as a top study destination for the past five years. Even though there has been a significant 179% increase in student numbers since 2013, Canada still needs to proportionally expand its student housing facilities or improve the protections and safety measures for these students.
In 2023, Canadian and international media featured numerous stories detailing the escalating instances of students facing challenges in finding adequate housing, agents submitting fraudulent applications on behalf of students and private colleges enrolling more students than they could effectively accommodate.
The current policy changes of IRCC are more comprehensible when considered within this specific context.
Canada must adopt stricter quality control measures to sustain its competitive edge among other highly sought-after study destinations.
According to a recent survey by Study portals, which assessed the satisfaction levels of 126,000 students studying in different countries, Canada trailed behind the US, UK, Australia, and several other nations. The survey, using a satisfaction scale where 5 represented the highest level, reported that the US scored 4.32, the UK scored 4.18, and Australia landed at 4.13. Despite improving in every aspect since 2021, Canada remained last with a score of 4.11.
Canada has experienced a minor decline in popularity, while Australia has notably strengthened its position compared to the previous survey in March 2023. Consequently, these divergent changes have led to Australia matching Canada as the most favoured destination among the surveyed students.
As noted by the government, last year, more than 430,000 foreign-born individuals became permanent Canadian residents, which has not been seen since 1913.
The projected goal of 465,000 immigrants for 2023 is expected to be achieved and potentially exceeded. The immigration rate has sparked significant debate among Canadian economists and the general public. While the federal government has associated the immigration strategy with addressing skills gaps and enhancing labour force productivity, many Canadian communities are experiencing evident pressures on the healthcare system and a shortage of affordable housing due to the sharp annual rise in new residents.
In an article for The Globe and Mail, columnist Konrad Yakabuski argues that the immigration strategy is shifting towards addressing immediate economic requirements rather than attracting talents for global competitiveness.
In his announcement about changes to Canada's International Student Program, IRCC Minister Miller mentioned one of the three key points specifically focused on how international students relate to immigration targets.
In a press release in October 2023, Miller says that every year, international education contributes over CAD 22 billion to Canada's economy, surpassing the export value of auto parts, lumber, or aircraft and providing employment for over 200,000 individuals. The temporary decline in international student numbers in 2020 led to a loss of over CDN$7 billion in Canada's gross domestic product for that year.
In conclusion, these changes mark a transformative step in Canadian education. IRCC's efforts aim to improve the student program's credibility and match it with the changing labour market. By striving to prevent fraud and enhance student experiences, these changes will undoubtedly mold the future of international education. Indeed, these changes will improve the safety and efficiency of education in Canada for all involved.
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