Update on CIC International Student Initiatives CBIE Conference Calgary, October 21, 2010
Purpose To provide an update on recent initiatives related to international students, including: Trends on international students and new statistical products Student processing Service improvements Policy and program updates 2
International Student Trends 3
Number of International Students Increasing Number of initiatives at federal, PT, and institutional level to attract international students 90 000 80 000 70 000 Annual Entries of International Students, 2005-09 67 883 71 795 74 034 79 536 85 131 Annual entries increasing in recent years - 85,301 international students entered Canada in 2009 60 000 50 000 40 000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total number of students residing in Canada also increasing - 196,227 students residing in Canada (as of December 1, 2009) 220 000 200 000 180 000 160 000 140 000 120 000 Students Residing in Canada on December 1st, 2005-09 167 145 170 089 175 933 178 037 196 227 100 000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 4
Student Entries by Province/Territory of Destination Annual Entries 2009 Ontario 30,503 British Columbia 26,541 Quebec 14,134 Alberta 5,532 Nova Scotia 2,606 Manitoba 2,064 Saskatchewan 1,461 New Brunswick 1,422 Newfoundland and Labrador 530 Prince Edward Island 322 Territories 23 Province or territory not stated 2 TOTAL 85,140 Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 5
11 151 9 906 7 598 5 604 6 125 18 15 19 901 18 302 17 373 32 956 35 718 Student Entries by Level of Study Largest share of international students destined to universities - 35,718 students entered Canada at university level in 2009 (42% of Canadian total) 40000 35000 30000 25000 Entries of Students by Level of Education, 2008-09 20000 Number destined to other PSE, particularly community colleges also growing 15000 10000 5000 18,302 students entered at K-12 level (21% of Canadian total) 0 University K-12 Other PSE Trade Other Not stated 2008 2009 Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 6
3 248 4 677 5 316 3 527 5 292 3 632 3 316 2 587 2 758 2 512 2 330 1 746 1 734 4 628 4 514 5 716 11 045 13 678 13 946 16 369 Student Entries by Country of Origin Students from China (16,369) and Korea (11,045) represented 32% of total annual entries of foreign students in Canada 18 000 16 000 14 000 12 000 Entries of Students by Source Country, 2008-09 Followed by India, France, Saudi Arabia, USA, Japan, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil 10 000 8 000 6 000 4 000 Top 10 source countries represented 70% of annual entries to Canada 2 000 0 2008 2009 Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada 7
New Statistical Products 8
Digital Library The Facts and Figures Digital Library is a large collection of data tables on permanent residents and temporary residents for Canada, provinces and territories, and municipal areas (information is available in Excel and PDF format). Characteristics for Temporary Residents include: Gender Yearly Status Source Country Urban Area Level of Study Occupational Skill Level Transition - to Permanent Transition - to other Temporary 2009 Digital Library available for distribution November 1 st Please contact Research-Recherche@cic.gc.ca to request copies of the Facts and Figures 2009 or 2008 Digital Library. 9
Quarterly Administrative Data Release The Quarterly Administrative Data Release provides up-to-date portraits of the immigration process, including both permanent and temporary streams, as well as an overview of the citizenship process. Go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/data-release/2010-q2/index.asp Additional statistical tables are available in CD format upon request to researchrecherche@cic.gc.ca These tables provide study permit information covering the years 2005-09, by Mission, including detailed information on: Applications received Application outcomes Visas issued Processing times 10
Study Permit Processing 11
CIC Processing of Study Permits Overseas 2009 75% approval rate globally in 2009 and 50% of SP decisions finalized within 21 days Consistently high approval rates among top 10 source countries (9 countries at/above 80%, 4 countries above 90%) For countries with lower approval rates, important to understand and address underlying causes Country Total Entries* Approval Rate** 50% of applications processed in X days or less** China 16,375 80% 35 days Korea 11,048 89% 14 days India 5,718 Delhi 57% Chandigargh -32% Delhi 21 days Chandigargh 7 days France 5,320 92% 7 days Saudi Arabia 5,293 90% 28 days U.S. 4,530 Buffalo 72%*** Detroit 82% New York 88% Los Angeles 92% Washington 87% Buffalo 21 days* Detroit 7 days New York 14 days Los Angeles 14 days Washington 35 days Japan 3,316 95% 14 days Mexico 2,755 80% 28 days Germany 2,330 98% 7 days Brazil 1,736 88% 14 days *Source: Facts and Figures **Source: dwsweb;(4) International Region/nim_all_caips_e from download of January 9, 2010***note that Buffalo processes large % of non-us citizens 12
Service Improvements 13
Online Services: Update e-application for Off-Campus Work Permit program introduced in June 2008 Take-up rate of approximately 80% as of end of September Processing times of 26 days as of October 13, 2010 e-application for study permit extensions introduced in February 2009 Average monthly take-up rate of 40% e-application for Post-Graduation Work Permit Program introduced in December 2009 Take-up rate for of approximately 20% as of end of September e-application for Co-op Work Permit Program and spouse/partner work permit also introduced in December 2009 Also December 2009, applicants who have never conducted business with CIC are now able to enroll in MyCIC and access the e-application e-application overseas for 14 visa-exempt and medical-exempt countries scheduled for early 2011 These applications will be processed in Canada at CPC Vegreville Limited release available to citizens of (and residing in): Australia, Barbados, Denmark, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and USA 14
Visa Application Centres (VACs) VACs are service provider organizations that offer applicants optional assistance in the completion of visa applications to enter Canada Presently, VACs assist in processing of temporary resident applications which include the visitor, worker and international student streams Based on experience to date, the use of VACs has been a win-win situation for both applicants and CIC client service throughout the application process is improved, while mission staff are able to devote resources to the decision-making process Fast facts on VACs Available in 17 countries, at 36 points of service Handle close to 36% of all temporary resident applications submitted abroad (where VACs are available) Fewer applications returned due to incompleteness or incorrect fee payment Reduced time and effort required for application processing High take-up rate at current VACs allows CIC to focus on high-value-added activities Recent VACs opened in Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara) and Sri Lanka (Colombo) 15
Other Policy and Program Updates 16
Improving Canada s Standing as a Study Destination Improving Canada s standing as a destination of choice for international students a priority for federal and PT governments June 2010 Federal and PT Ministers of Immigration committed to working together to improve Canada s standing as a destination of choice for international students seeking a quality education Mandate to improve joint federal-pt management of entry and stay of international students to Canada, and improve program integrity Expected outcomes include: strengthened program management, an improved image for Canada as a provider of quality education, reduction in fraud in the international student movement, and improved levels of service to international students CIC and PTs in early stages of discussions CIC and PTs will formally engage associations and institutions in coming months 17
Student Partners Program: India update Background Launched in 2009 as pilot with 20 colleges 2010 changed to regular program and expanded to 38 colleges (now 39) Main goal: to increase approval rate for those destined to participating colleges, while ensuring program integrity and minimizing immigration violations Tools Used to Achieve Goal: 1. Streamlined but more demanding set of verifiable supporting documents; 2. Commitment by participating colleges to report back concerning academic standing status of students; 3. Dedicated points of contact and communication channels to manage information flow For 2010, minimum IELTS score for SPP increased to 6.0 Results 2009: 3182 Study Permits issued, 79% approval rate compared to 35% for 2008 applicants destined to SPP colleges Study Permits issued to SPP members colleges more than triple 2008 totals 18
Student Partners Program: China August 2010 - Visa Office in China launched Student Partners Program with 42 member institutions of ACCC Chinese students have a IELTS (minimum score of 5.5) and non-ielts option Around 100 study permits issued for fall cohort increases expected High approval rate Upfront medical exam: Since July 6, 2009 students applying through Beijing may take "upfront" medical examination before submitting Study Permit application 13 days processing compared to 40+ days for regular applications In 2009, 61% of students underwent medicals in advance Visa office strongly encourages applicants to complete their medical examination in advance. Useful information for educational institutions, provinces and territories can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/index.asp 19
Work Permit Programs Work Permit Programs Student participation in work permit programs significant in 2009, but potential for growth 17,192 Off-campus WPs issued 15,432 Post-grad WPs issued CIC has implemented a number of operational changes to work permit programs to improve access to program and clarify issues being raised by PTs, institutions, and students, including: April 2010 Students can apply for an OCWP during final academic session, even without full course-load Students can apply for a PGWP during 90-day transition period on completion of their academic program without surrendering OCWP and work under OCWP can be full time June 2010 Students holding a one-year graduate degree or diploma from a provincially or territorially accredited post-secondary educational/training institution in Canada after having obtained, within the prior two years, a diploma or degree from an accredited post-secondary educational/training institution in Canada may qualify for a three-year work permit These issues raised by stakeholders at 2009 CBIE conference 20
Transition to Permanent Residence Number of former students choosing to immigrate is increasing, noting growing importance of postgraduation employment International students transitioning to permanent residence primarily through Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Programs, and Family Class Canadian Experience Class introduced on September 17, 2008 Since implementation, over 5,000 have applied through the student stream and over 3,000 admitted (as of June 30, 2010) 86% approval rate for 2010 under the student stream Number of International Students transitioning to permanent residence directly from student status and after post-graduation employment, 2005-09 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 From Student Status 7,962 10,020 10,315 10,764 9,246 From Foreign Worker Status (Post-grad WP only) 562 1,113 1,457 2,071 3,683 Total Former Students transitioning to PR 8,524 11,133 11,772 12,835 12,929 Source: CIC Facts and Figures 21
Closing Attracting international students to Canada important economically and socially, including as source of potential immigrants CIC continuing to increase Canada s competitiveness through introduction of service improvements to clients through electronic and program initiatives Moving forward, CIC also working with provinces, territories and stakeholders to continue to improve Canada s standing as a destination of choice for international students through policy initiatives Moving forward, continued collaboration will be key 22