September 20th, 2024 at 02:04 am

International Students in Canada Face Uncertainty as PR Policies Shift

Recent changes to immigration policy in Canada have resulted in tens of thousands of international students confronting an uncertain future. The Canadian government’s abrupt change in immigration priorities now emphasizing French speakers and certain job sectors has significantly affected the journey to permanent residency for numerous long-term students. Experts project that between 70,000 and 131,000 holders of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) may face the necessity of leaving the country in 2024 and 2025, as their visas will expire without a defined pathway to permanent residency.

This sudden change in policy has generated significant backlash, with numerous individuals labelling it a shortcoming of the immigration system, resulting in students who have committed to Canadian education and work experience feeling let down.

Numerous international students encounter restricted pathways to permanent residency.

International students who arrived in Canada in search of a route to permanent residency now find themselves without alternatives following recent changes in immigration policy. A significant number of these students, possessing temporary Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), could be compelled to go back to their home countries as their visas lapse, lacking chances to obtain permanent residency.

Anticipated Mass Expiration of Post-Graduation Work Permits in 2024 and 2025

Experts in policy anticipate that between 70,000 and 130,000 holders of the PGWP will experience visa expirations within the upcoming two years. In the absence of visa extensions or invitations to apply for permanent residency, these students will find themselves with no options to remain in Canada. Ottawa’s recent immigration policies seek to restrict the number of temporary residents and low-wage foreign workers, thereby reducing the chances for international students to move toward permanent residency.

Post-Graduation Work Permits and the Changing Immigration Landscape

Post-graduation work permits, ranging from 9 months to 3 years, enable international students to work in Canada following the completion of their diploma or degree. The issuance of PGWPs rose notably under earlier policies to tackle labour shortages and counteract population decline. In 2021, the Canadian government awarded permanent residency to 90,000 temporary workers and international students as part of an emergency measure related to the pandemic.

Nonetheless, the terrain has changed. As 2023 comes to a close, close to 400,000 PGWP holders are residing in Canada—nearly three times the figure from 2018. Recent policy reversals have put a stop to extensions for expiring PGWPs, as the government has clarified that the mass grants of permanent residency were a one-time response to the pandemic.

Changes to Express Entry Complicate the Journey to Permanent Residency

The Canadian government has made a notable change to its Express Entry system, which is utilized for selecting candidates for permanent residency. The updated criteria now emphasize French-speaking candidates and individuals with work experience in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, and STEM disciplines. Many international students with Canadian-specific education and work experience are finding it difficult to meet the qualifications for permanent residency under the new rules.

Ambiguity and Disarray Among International Students

The absence of clarity and consistency in the permanent residency selection process has led to significant confusion among international students. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the likelihood of obtaining permanent residency, as the new system complicates predictions about who will be chosen. Without a clear route to extend their visas, numerous students face a dilemma: remain in Canada as undocumented residents or go back to their home countries.

Estimates of PGWP expirations differ, yet the effects are evident.

While exact figures on the number of PGWP holders facing visa expiration this year are unavailable, advocacy groups project that approximately 70,000 international students will fail to secure permanent residency before their visas lapse in 2024 and 2025. Alternative estimates indicate that as many as 131,000 permits may expire, contingent on the duration for which the work permits were granted.

Advocating for Change and Assistance for International Students

International students are actively protesting and advocating for extended Post-graduation work permits and improved pathways to permanent residency, prompting experts and labour organizations to call on the government to reevaluate its policies.

The abrupt changes have caused many to feel neglected, even though they have made substantial contributions to Canada’s economy, education system, and workforce. For numerous international students, Canada symbolized a chance for an improved future via education and employment. With the sudden change in immigration policies, the future has become uncertain, and the opportunity for permanent residency is diminishing.

Temporary Solutions and Long-Term Problems

Ottawa capped international student applications for two years and stopped giving PGWPs to students from public-private partnership schools in January.

Partnerships with public institutions have increased international enrollment at private colleges, which this reform intended.

Some experts, including Dr. Venkatesh, believe these regulatory changes do little to address the issue of expiring PGWPs and the lack of a permanent residency pathway for Canadians.

We sought them when we had a labour shortage. We are breaking our PR pathway commitment and chasing them out. Granting them PR status is right, she remarked.

Due to its emphasis on economic integration through the PGWP, Canada’s immigration policy has long been admired.

However, recent policy changes and uncertainty have clouded this narrative.

Thousands of international grads who were once expected to boost Canada’s economy and demographics may return home without permanent status.

As these individuals continue to speak out, the government must address the rising unhappiness and develop solutions that honour the obligations made to those who chose Canada as their home and contributed their skills and hard-earned education to the workforce.

Policy reform, visa extensions, or definite pathways to PR are needed before more talented people leave the system that welcomed them.

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