Canada Immigration Plan 2021-23 Makes Studying in Canada More Attractive

In 2020, Canada’s immigration targets may have fallen short. Still, the current challenging times have not been able to unsettle the Country’s determination to offer immigrants new opportunities. Upholding Canada’s commitment on October 30, 2020, Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, tabled the 2021‒2023 Immigration Levels Plan, which sets out to welcome over 4,00,000 foreigners every year.

Recognizing the importance of newcomers, Marco Mendicino said, “Immigration is essential to getting us through the pandemic, but also to our short-term economic recovery and our long-term economic growth. Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table. As we look to recovery, newcomers create jobs not just by giving our businesses the skills they need to thrive, but also by starting businesses themselves. Our plan will help to address some of our most acute labour shortages and to grow our population to keep Canada competitive on the world stage.”

During the next three years, i.e. from 2021-2023, Canada will increase its targets to 4,01,000 permanent residents in 2021, 4,11,000 in 2022, and 4,21,000 in 2023 to compensate for the shortfall in 2020. The only time Canada welcomed 4,01,000 immigrants in a year was in 1913.

This is very significant news for Indian students as a considerable number of Indians choose to study in Canada, and undoubtedly, most of them seek to settle there after completing their study programs. In 2019, out of 404,000, IRCC issued about 140,000 study permits to Indian students.

Most international students can stay back in Canada for up to 3 years on a work permit. During which, they earn valuable job experience and may apply for permanent residency. Canada considers international students idle for permanent residence as by the time they apply for PR they have gained Canadian education, have job experience, and are quite well familiar with Canadian rule and regulation. Students who graduate in Canada also get up to 30 additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System scoring system.

CRS is a points-based system that IRCC uses to assess and score candidates’ profiles, based on which it ranks them in the Express Entry pool. The factors that influence a candidate’s eligibility include skills, education, language ability, work experience, etc.

At the provincial level, there are several programs. All Canadian provinces and territories can nominate skilled workers under PNP for entry in Canada. In 2019, around 68,647 people were selected under PNP programs. International students can also apply to these programs.

Immigration will continue to be a key driver for furthering the Canadian economy, particularly in the context of low birth rates and its essential role in expanding the working population. International students can tap into the upcoming opportunities and settle in Canada.

There are many universities and colleges in Canada that offer PGWP-eligible programs. Students can contact Pyramid’s visa counselors to apply for their study permit as well as take admission in one of them. To apply, call at 92563-92563 or visit the Pyramid’s nearest branch.