Immigrants Who Received an Education in Canada Earned a Higher Income
In Canada, international students can work during their studies and may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once they finish their education. This enables them to acquire Canadian work experience and potentially qualify for permanent residency through one of Canada’s 100+ economic class immigration programs.
In 2022, a study was published by Statistics Canada that analyzed the correlation between pre-immigration education and income earned after graduation.
The study revealed a major discovery that within the initial two years of immigration, economic principal candidates who pursued an education in Canada earned significantly more than those who did not. The report further elaborated that the increase in earnings could be attributed to the applicants’ superior proficiency in official languages and their exposure to Canadian work experience.
What are the Steps to Study in Canada?
To pursue education in Canada, your initial step is to select a Canadian-designated learning institution (DLI), such as a college or university, and submit an application for a letter of acceptance.
After receiving your acceptance letter from DLI, you can apply for a study permit from IRCC.
To qualify for a study permit, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Demonstrate enough financial backing to cover the first year’s tuition fee, living expenses, and travel expenses back to your home country.
- Possess a clean criminal record, as IRCC may request a police clearance certificate.
- Be in good physical condition, as IRCC may request a complete medical examination.
- If you plan to study in Quebec, acquire a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (QAC).
- Convince the immigration officer that you will depart from Canada upon the expiration of the authorized stay under the study permit.
Advantages of Pursuing Education in Canada
The Stats Canada study showed that individuals with Canadian study experience initially earned less than those without, even if they had comparable language proficiency and Canadian work experience. This was due to their inclination to pursue further education during their first few years in Canada.
Nevertheless, the long-term benefits of the Canadian study experience were noticeable. Ten years after immigrating, economic immigrants who studied in Canada earned much more than those who did not. As economic immigrants continued to work in Canada, the significance of their pre-immigration characteristics in determining their earnings decreased.
According to Statistics Canada, obtaining formal education from Canadian learning institutions equips immigrants with top-notch job skills specifically tailored to the Canadian job market. It increases their ability to assimilate into Canadian society and economy.
The Pathway from Studying to Permanent Residency
Graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions who are international students have the option to prolong their stay and potentially gain permanent residency. Canadian education can benefit individuals who aim to become permanent residents since various federal and provincial immigration programs prefer applicants with Canadian education and work experience.
Upon finishing your studies in Canada, you could qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to obtain Canadian work experience for up to 3 years.
During the validity of PGWP, individuals can apply to several provincial permanent resident programs, such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs.
To qualify for a PGWP, international students must have the followings:
- Complete a study program of at least eight months duration in an academic, vocational, or professional training program at an eligible DLI
- Complete a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
- Obtain an official letter from DLI confirming that the applicant has satisfied all program requirements and a transcript.
- Maintain full-time student status in Canada throughout every academic year, and include it in your PGWP application.
Final Thoughts
If you ever thought about obtaining a Canadian study permit but didn’t know where to start, we’re here to guide you through the process. Contact Green Light Immigration, and our experienced immigration consultants will assist you in every step of the journey.
