- 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 Canada 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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