How do I immigrate to Canada to study?

Albert Joseph Nobisse Tchawou

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant

Canada is one of the most welcoming countries for students and immigrants, with many opportunities for qualified students and professionals to establish a permanent base in the country. Every year, over 350,000 foreign students participate in various study programs in Canada. Canada gives students and graduates the opportunity to build their careers and stay permanently in the country, in addition to world-class educational opportunities. The three cornerstones of successful student immigration to Canada are learning, succeeding and staying. A student's success opens the door to an application for permanent residency in Canada. This approach, combined with affordable tuition fees and high student satisfaction scores, leads to year-on-year growth in student enrolment.

Study in Canada

International student destinations such as the USA, France, the UK, New Zealand and Australia are losing ground to Canada, which has become an option of choice for international students. This is attributed in part to a strong policy that promotes the three pillars of Canadian immigration. Here's a list of the country's advantages:

International reputation and educational excellence. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is considered internationally equal to those obtained in developed countries such as the U.S., Germany or the U.K. Canada's high academic standards provide a high-quality education that prepares you for an international career. A Canadian degree is often considered equivalent to those earned in the U.S., Australia or the U.K., and Canadian institutions regularly feature prominently in world rankings. There are many Canadian educational institutions to choose from, but whether you attend a university, college or business school, Canadian education is unquestionably world-class.

Even for foreign students, tuition fees and other study expenses in Canada are often lower than in other countries.
The spouse or common-law partner of an international student is allowed to join him or her in Canada. In addition, spouses and common-law partners are eligible for an open work visa, which allows them to work any hours they choose for any employer.
International students in Canada are allowed to bring their children into the country, and children can attend one of Canada's public primary or secondary schools without needing their own study permit.
The QS World University Rankings rank Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto among the world's top student cities.
Graduates can study in Canada for up to three years, then work there.
Rather than blocking the door or making it extremely difficult for graduates to complete their studies in Canada, as other countries do, Canada is actively seeking to offer permanent residency pathways to students and graduates.
International students can include days spent on a study permit toward their Canadian citizenship residency requirements due to Canada's open citizenship naturalization procedure.
Over the course of a semester or term, international students in Canada can work up to 20 hours a week, and full-time during school vacations.

Don't you think it sounds good? Yes, it does! To take advantage of these benefits, you first need to understand how to move to Canada on a conventional student visa.

Find the right university and study program

There are many alternatives to choose from. You can choose your place of study and university when you have a better idea of your options and preferences. Databases of Canadian colleges and institutes, as well as advice from Maclean's magazine, can be used to choose the right college or university for your needs and goals. Once you've made your decision, check that the institution you've selected is a designated educational establishment (EED). All study permits require a letter of acceptance from an EED. EED is described as a university or college that has been authorized by provincial governments to accept foreign students.

Register for a program of study

The next priority should be to gain admission to the university or college of your choice. As part of the Canadian immigration process with a student visa, applicants must consider application dates, language requirements and other prerequisites for admission to EED in Canada. The letter of acceptance is the first step in obtaining a student visa and study permit. This document is issued by EED and is required to continue the process. Without this document, prospective students may be refused a study permit. Once you have received a letter of acceptance and met the other conditions, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue you a study permit. You can now study in Canada according to your program timetable.

High earnings potential

Canada's economy is varied and expanding. As a graduate who has chosen to study in Canada, you may be part of it. As previously mentioned, international students are eligible to work in Canada before graduation. This allows them to earn money, gain meaningful Canadian work experience and establish professional relationships that lead to future opportunities. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), on the other hand, offers an important financial and networking opportunity, as well as a pathway to permanent residency in Canada. A Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit that allows graduates to work for any company in Canada for up to three years. It's a unique chance to start a new life in Canada.

Staying in Canada

According to the Canadian government, international graduates and students are ideal candidates for Canada's multi-year immigration plans because of their commitment to the country, their expertise and their ability to speak the country's official language. But how does this integration actually work? International students and graduates benefit considerably from many of Canada's economic immigration policies and initiatives. International graduates and students could benefit from a variety of immigration services.

The best way to immigrate to Canada is to study here

The best way to immigrate to Canada is to study. Canada's education system is modelled on that of the UK. The methodology and teaching methods are identical to those used in British institutions and colleges. A Canadian education and bachelor's degree open many doors not only in Canada, but also in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Canada's immigration policy enables graduates of higher education institutions to work and build a career in the country. All international students who have completed their studies can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of two years or more in Canada. International students can also apply for permanent residency and remain in Canada after graduation through one of the many immigration options available:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Provincial candidate programs (PCP)

Express entry

If you want to move to Canada and have a current job offer or a documented history of education and experience, Express Entry, a new program used by the Canadian Immigration Service, has made the immigration process much easier, faster and more streamlined. Express Entry applicants are placed in a pool and evaluated against each other based on a point system. Those who score well will be invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The goal of the Government of Canada's Express Entry program is to attract pre-screened applicants who will become permanent residents and contribute to the country's economy and culture.

Who is eligible for Express Entry?

Not everyone is eligible to apply for aExpress Entry. To get started, you must first meet the requirements of one of the following economic immigration programs:

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This is a faster immigration program for those who have recently worked in a skilled profession in Canada. Graduates are ideal candidates because they can obtain an open work visa for up to three years, giving them plenty of time to gain the experience they need for the CEC.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

To qualify, applicants must score at least 67 out of 100 points on the six skilled worker selection criteria. Previous education and employment experience in Canada may earn you points. The FSWP point system also favors younger people with language skills, giving the majority of students and graduates an advantage.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Applicants must have a full-time offer of employment in a skilled trade from up to two Canadian employers, or a Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial organization, to be eligible for this program. Trades students and graduates have a unique opportunity to network in Canada. Students who graduate in Canada also earn additional points in the Express Entry pool, with up to 30 additional points in the Global Ranking System (GRS) on top of the points awarded for the diploma.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

People seeking to immigrate to Canada and settle in a particular province can be selected under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These initiatives have been used by provincial and territorial governments to more effectively welcome immigrants to their region. Each Provincial or Territorial Nominee Program is tailored to the requirements of the particular province or territory to identify candidates who will be able to adapt to living and working in the region, while successfully contributing to the community and helping to fill the labor shortage both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Once you've completed your studies, what happens next?

International graduates are highly sought-after by Canada's federal government as potential new permanent immigrants. They are young, culturally aware and multilingual, have Canadian credentials and often have work experience. Students can start their profession in Canada after graduation with the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). International students have found it easier to convert to permanent residency due to recent improvements to the Express Entry selection mechanism. There are also a number of provincial immigration streams dedicated to international students.

Conclusion

When you leave your friends and family behind, studying abroad can be daunting. Canada, unlike most other countries, is bordered on three sides by the sea. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the democratically elected government and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. Canada has a well-deserved international reputation as a tolerant, non-discriminatory country. Immigrants make up about one-fifth of the Canadian population, and Canadian laws ensure that everyone is protected from discrimination, whatever their circumstances.