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STUDYING IN CANADA: THE BEST PATH TO IMMIGRATION?

It is well-known that studying in another country can make it easier to immigrate. There are many countries that offer good opportunities for international students, so what unique advantages does Canada offer you? In the end, it depends on your goals. If your goals are to stay in the country permanently, then Canada is one of the best choices you could make. Canada offers so many immigration advantages to its international students, it would seem like it wants to keep them more than other countries do! Even if you think that you are too old to start studying, or to do so all over again, there is no age limit to this. All the options that will be discussed here are available regardless of your age. It is not too late! Before graduation come many years of hard work of course, so before explaining post-graduation immigration, here are some of the benefits you can find during your studies:

AFFORDABILITY AND QUALITY

An important thing to note before talking about the cost of studying in Canada is that you are required to prove that you can sustain yourself during your studies before you are given a study permit. Remember that international study is a serious investment, and you will need to have prepared with enough money beforehand. The good news at least, is that you have a wide array of options when it comes to choosing an institution to study at. Canada offers educational experiences that range from small, affordable institutions at the college level, to some of the most prestigious and highest-ranked universities in the world. In money terms, international tuition for colleges can be as low as $10 000 – $15 000 CAD per year, while some of the most expensive programs at the prestigious University of Toronto can cost more than $50 000 CAD per year! Not to worry though, all this means is that you can choose an educational experience that fits your budget and goals.

Not only are educational opportunities in Canada relatively affordable when compared to those of the US, but they also offer quality experiences. According to the QS World University Rankings, some of Canada’s largest cities are also some of the highest-ranked Student Cities. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver all rank in the top 20 of their latest report and have done so consistently in recent years. 7 of Canada’s universities also rank within the top 100 Universities worldwide. Not bad for a country with half the population of the UK and nearly one tenth of the United States.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Once you graduate from a Canadian institution, you will find that most immigration programs require you to have worked in Canada for a certain amount of time. Fortunately, Canada gives you ample opportunity to fulfill these requirements, both before and after you graduate. During your studies in Canada with a study permit, you are permitted to work for 20 hours a week without needing a work permit! Canada is not the only country that lets you do this of course, but it offers unique advantages that others do not.

One of these advantages is that you can be hired by any employer. Other countries, such as the United States, only allow their international students to find employment within their own campus or with institution-related labour. However, in Canada, you have no restrictions on where you look for work as an international student. You can even be self-employed! Do keep in mind that you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This open-work permit allows you to work for up to three years after your graduation as you prepare to carry out your immigration plan. Working in Canada offers many of its own benefits as well.

Do you have a family? A major advantage of studying in Canada is that you can bring your family members with you. On top of that, your partner or spouse themselves can obtain an open work permit. This allows them to work without restrictions on hours, and for any employer, making it that much more feasible to meet the requirements for immigration programs. As for your kids, not only can they come with you, but they can attend one of Canada’s public elementary or secondary schools for free. They do not require their own study permits of course.

CANADA WANTS ITS GRADUATES TO STAY

When it comes to international study, Canada stands out from other countries in one major way: If you want to study abroad with the goal of staying in the country, then Canada provides a much easier pathway to do so than other nations. The biggest reason for this is simple: Canada needs more professionals. The country has a lot of room to grow and not enough people to fill the jobs that will be created with rapid expansion. Canada is looking for skilled individuals that can contribute to the workforce, and what better choice is there than international graduates? These individuals have already adapted to life in Canada and will easily integrate into Canadian life, making them prime candidates for permanent immigration programs.

The most popular of these permanent immigration programs, Express Entry, is an excellent choice for those who choose to study in Canada. Express Entry was introduced in 2015 and it essentially assigns applicants a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Top-ranked candidates are then invited by the government to apply in regularly held draws. Having studied and worked in Canada, as well as learned the language well enough, you should be eligible to earn up to 30 points towards your CRS score. If you studied in Quebec, you could look to the Quebec Experience Program or the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The latter also offers points to candidates that have studied and worked in the province.

CONCLUSION

Immigrating to Canada as an international student is one of the best ways to secure a place in the country. This does not mean that it is an easy path to take of course; It is a serious investment and requires some years of hard work. In many ways it is a difficult door to open, but on the other side of it are opportunities for you and your family that would not have been available otherwise. Do remember that there are many options available to you if you choose to study in Canada, and we can help you choose the right one. If you are interested in studying in Canada, this is how we can help you do it. By booking a consultation with Gentium Immigration we can help you make a plan that fits your needs. Are you willing to put in the effort? If you are, then so are we.