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Canada Welcomes Foreign Students
- Canada recognizes the importance of foreign students to
the academic and business communities as well as to the
Canadian economy.
- The high priority given to students has led to some encouraging
processing results overseas. In 1998, over 77% of cases
were completed in one month or less. Same-day processing
increased from 21% of cases in 1997 to 24% in 1998.
- The total number of student applications processed increased
100% between 1988 and 1998, at a time when we have had to
struggle with significant program reductions.
- In 1998, there were over 101,000 foreign students registered
at all levels in Canadian institutions. This total climbs
to well over 101,000 if students destined to short-term
English and French as a Second Language (ESL and FSL) programs
are included.
- We recognize the need, in a competitive global market,
to reduce processing times. As a result, we have taken measures
to streamline student processing, including the implementation
of expedited medical procedures in four key offices abroad
-- Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Mexico -- all part
of an earlier pilot project.
- In recognition of the expansion of the Canadian Education
Centre (CEC) Network within Latin America during the recent
Team Canada visit, we have implemented another student medical
pilot at our missions in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Bogota.
- We are currently exploring with the provinces possible
options to exempt students taking post secondary courses
of less than 6 months duration, at private or public schools,
from the need for a student authorization.
- We are also investigating the labour market implications
of allowing foreign students attending private institutions
to work during their course of study and for a specified
period following completion of their studies, as is now
the case for students at public institutions. We have initiated
external consultations on this proposal with interested
parties such as Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC),
Industry Canada, the Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada (AUCC) and the Association of Canadian Community
Colleges (ACCC).
- Given the extent of the effect of the Kosovo crisis on
foreign students already in Canada, we have taken a generous
and flexible approach to the existing policy that allows
foreign students in Canada who are in possession of a valid
student authorization, and who are considered temporarily
destitute, to obtain a fee-exempt employment authorization.
These relaxed criteria apply to students affected by the
events in the Kosovo area.
- We are working closely with other government departments
-- in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade (DFAIT), and Health Canada -- to develop
coordinated strategies. We support global marketing initiatives
launched by DFAIT, and participate actively in committees
and conferences dedicated to international student marketing.
- Certain overseas operating environments pose significant
challenges in terms of student processing, and visa officers
are faced with the difficult task of assessing the legitimacy
of student applicants. The Immigration Act obligates applicants
to fulfill the following requirements (among others) before
a student authorization can be issued:
- they must satisfy immigration authorities that their
intention is to enter anada for a temporary period only
- they must prove that they have adequate funds to pay
for their expenses while studying in Canada
- Despite resource reductions, we do attempt to increase
staff in missions which experience significant growth in
applications. However, because of the nature of an overseas
program, this transfer of resources takes time.
- Although we have made significant strides in processing
students, we look to our partners and stakeholders to assist
in making complementary enhancements. For instance, we might
work together toward the provision of timely acceptance
letters to foreign students.
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Welcomes Foreign Students
