November 26, 2018 – Canada has seen an increase in the
number of international students transitioning to permanent
residence.
More than 1,000 more former
Study Permit holders became permanent residents in 2017
compared to 2016. Federal government figures show more than 9,400
former students became permanent residents in 2017, compared with
8,250 in 2016.
The increase follows a continued push by immigration authorities
to prioritize international students as important new permanent
residents of Canada. Canada currently issues more than 400,000
study permits to international students each year.
Federal government pro-student rhetoric has been backed up with
policy changes, including increased points for international
students under
Canada Express Entry, and specific streams targeting graduates
under programs such as the
Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
