The Canadian government has under its latest immigration policies effectively closed the conversion of study permits to permanent residency for international students. This new regulation means international students would now have to return to their home countries at the expiry of their study visas.
The country is ending the Student Direct Stream (SDS) policy, putting a stop to asylum claims in addition to other policies that allow non-citizens with study visas to get permanent residency.
Canada’s minister of immigration, Marc Miller revealed this in an interview on Tuesday where he spoke about the country’s immigration policies and other significant issues affecting international students in the country.
This announcement is coming after international students studying in different parts of Canada engaged in protests demanding a direct passage from study visa to permanent residency or permit extension.
in response, Miller said “When people come here and decide they want to be students, there are no guarantees to become permanent residents”
He added that big differences exist between Canadian study permits and resident permits. He however acknowledged the students’ rights to protest but reiterated Canada’s immigration policies priority is to maintain order and balance the country’s system.
The students Direct scheme was launched in 2018 by the Canadian government. The study permit processing scheme was launched to process study permit applications within 20 days for eligible students from 14 countries.
The program was later extended to students from Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam, due to political tensions.
Miller however states that the Canadian government is focused on ensuring the visas offered are according to the country’s safety and diplomatic priorities.
The postgraduate work permits (PGWPs) currently held by many international students in Canada is close to expiry hence their pressure on the Canadian government for extensions.
Minister Miller says the government would not give dis group of students automatic extensions.
“Some students would have to make a difficult decision as to whether they would leave or not” as it is necessary for the government to match work permits with what the Canadian labor market needs.
He also says the government has taken measures to reduce the number of temporary residents, including international students, in order to manage the flows more effectively.
Miller also states “We need to reduce permanent residency by over 20%.” This is after one latest reduction of permanent residency quota by the Canadian government just did.
Canada is also reviewing its immigration laws to fit long-term needs, including the country’s older population and labor shortages without putting pressure on housing and public services.
Canada’s population is getting old, and Miller says that is why it remains necessary to bring in young workers who would help sustain their tax system and support the country’s healthcare.
To this end, miller says “to end immigration in three years does not make sense economically.” That is why the government has decided to reduce the immigration level gradually to 20%.
According to him, this way new immigrants can integrate effectively into the workforce while supporting economic stability.
Canada gets more and more request for for asylum claims, especially from international students yearly, some of whom misuse asylum claims as their last attempt to remain in the country.
Miller says many of this claims are not pure as he emphasizes the need for Canada to maintain the integrity of its refugee system.
Collaborations between federal, provincial, and educational institutions are necessary for the country to manage its immigration system, in order to meet the country’s labor market demands plus the socio-economic needs of local communities.
Miller says different provinces have unique needs, hence the target to create systems able to address their specific needs without compromising the overall immigration framework.
How this forthcoming immigration policies affect international students, and how Canada intends to achieve its long term plan of attracting and retaining global talent is left to be seen but for the the Global International student community is on red alert.
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