According to recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada has set a new record by welcoming over 550,000 international students from 184 countries in 2022.
This represents a significant increase in the number of study permits issued in recent years, with a total of 444,260 new study permits taking effect in 2021, up from 400,600 in 2019 (although there was a decrease in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). As a result, the number of international students in Canada has risen to 807,750, up from 637,860 in 2019.
The top 10 source countries of new international students entering Canada in 2022 were India, China, the Philippines, France, Nigeria, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. The top 10 source countries of international students already studying in Canada as of December 31st, 2022 were India, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, France, Nigeria, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States.
International students attended Designated Learning Institutions in several provinces across Canada, with Ontario having the highest number of international students at 411,000, followed by British Columbia with 164,000.
Canada is a popular destination for international students due to several factors, including the quality of education, lower costs compared to other countries with similar education levels, work opportunities, and immigration possibilities post-graduation. International students in Canada can receive a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) upon completion of their studies, which allows them to work full-time in the country after graduation, and a high employment rate is seen among graduates at all levels of education. Furthermore, international students holding a valid study permit can work an unlimited number of hours during school semesters until the end of 2023. Canada also provides international students with the option to settle permanently in the country, making it an attractive destination for those seeking to transition from their current status to permanent residents of Canada.
