New government policies seek to help foreign nationals who are currently in Canada meet the requisite work hours to be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
visas
COVID-19 Guide for International Students Arriving in Canada
The federal government has released a guide for international students who are coming to Canada, and navigating travel restrictions. It’s called “COVID-19: Guide for International Students in Canada Arriving from Abroad.”
Indian Conference Visa Denial Sparks Scholars Protest
Academics have reacted strongly to the denial by the Indian government of visas to Pakistani scholar.
Effects of Rupee Demonetisation Could Hit Outbound Market
Source: The PIE News
International education has not escaped the effects of last month’s demonetisation of the Indian rupee. While the industry is unlikely to suffer in the long term, India-based education agents have told The PIE News there are short term implications to overcome, including problems with student payments for visas and tuition fees as well as bank withdrawals.
For the full article, visit The PIE News.
Canada May Be Leaving Billions in Education Exports On the Table
Source: Globe & Mail via Academica
Canada is seventh on the list of destinations for international students but could be much higher, according to a Globe and Mail op-ed. The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) projects that the number of students seeking education outside their home country will rise from 4.1 M in 2010 to 7.2 M by 2025. However, due in part to slow visa processing and lack of coordination, Canada could miss out. “[The challenge is] to develop a cohesive Canadian strategy to feature, highlight, promote our academic institutions, and that shouldn’t be just a city-specific or a provincial-specific strategy,” said Patricia McQuillan of Brand Matters Inc.
More Visas Being Issued to People From India Seeking a New Life in Canada
Source: Expat Forum via Indian Economic & Business News | May 5, 2014
Canada remains a destination of choice for visitors, students and business travelers from India with more than 130,000 visas being issued to people coming to visit family, friends or as tourists last year. There were also almost 14,000 student visas granted and more than 33,000 Indian citizens who became permanent residents of Canada, according to the latest figures announced by Immigration Minister Chris Alexander. He said that for over a century Canada has benefited from the talent and hard work of newcomers from India. ‘Tens of thousands of Indians continue to make the journey to Canada every year to help us build our country, our economy and, in many cases, to settle permanently and become Canadians,’ he explained. ‘The government has been making changes to facilitate legitimate travel, welcoming more visitors, businesspeople and students to Canada than ever before,’ he added. This includes the Business Express Programme (BEP) that was introduced in 2008 and created to ensure faster processing of visa applications for business people. The Worker Express Programme, which provides expedited service to applicants sent to Canada by companies under the BEP, was introduced in India in June 2009 and has since benefited more than 7,200 Indian citizens. In addition to the BEP, in July 2011, the government extended the duration of multiple entry visas from five to 10 years allowing visitors to enter and exit Canada for up to six months at a time over a 10 year period.
TCS Insights: By making visas more accessible to travelers from around the world, Canada has been able to benefit from the thousands of Indians who choose to study or work there. The decision to increase the length of multiple entry visas while allowing more travel to and from the country has also proved beneficial.
New Multiple-Entry Visas to Benefit Foreign Students
Source: Canada News Release | February 3, 2014
The Canadian government has announced that visitors to Canada will be automatically considered for a multiple-entry visa for 6 months at a time, for up to 10 years, without having to reapply, which will make it easier for international students to visit home. The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) applauded the move. “CASA has been calling on the government to provide multiple-entry visas to students and we’re happy these changes are being made,” says CASA Chair Amanda Nielsen. “Improving the clarity of visa applications will help government reach the goal of increasing Canada’s international student population.” Canada recently launched its new International Education Strategy, sparking considerable discussion within the PSE sector.
TCS Insights: In the Government of Canada’s new strategy for international education it is explained that visitors to the country, international students included, will be able to travel to and from Canada with more ease than before. By granting students opportunities to return to their home countries while attending post-secondary institutions, the government aims to convince more international students to choose Canada as an educational destination.
Changes to 485 visa make it easier for students to stay
Source: World News Australia
Under new rules, foreign students who graduate with an Australian bachelor’s degree, masters or doctorate can work for up to four years in Australia upon completion.
International students have greater chances to find employment under the federal government’s changes to the 485 Temporary Graduate visa.
Under the changes to visa subclass 485, which took effect on March 28, foreign students who graduated with an Australian bachelor’s degree, masters or doctorate, can obtain a visa to remain and work in Australia for between two and four years, depending on their degree — a significant increase on the previous limit of 18 months.
In an already competitive job market, the incentive is to lure high quality overseas students to study in Australia.
“Technically, it’s now much easier for international students to stay in Australia,” said Danny Ong, Multicultural Employment Consultant at Monash University. “But the main concern is that there is now a bigger group of international students competing for work opportunities”.
Remaining in Australia can be a gamble.
“This is a question that international students need to ask: it’s whether I can get a job,” Mr Ong said.
For international students, tuition fees could cost up to $30,000 per year, paid up-front, and application fees can cost almost $2,000.
“A lot of students find it very difficult to deal with parental expectations,” said Mr Ong. And this is affecting the quality of the international student experience.
“They tend to make an association between money and the quality of education. And that influences their interaction with the university,” he said.
Lyndal Partington, careers consultant at the University of NSW, says it is important to learn skills away from the classroom for a holistic education.
“It’s important to help them [international students] develop communication skills, team work skills — soft skills employers look for in graduates,” she said.
“One of the challenges is that they don’t have local work-experience and it’s hard to get their foot in the door. And another challenge is the difference in workplace culture between Australia and their home country,” said Ms Partington.
Under the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, students can obtain a two-year work visa if they studied in Australia for at least 16 months and have completed either a bachelor’s degree or a masters by course work. Students who completed a masters by research can qualify for a three-year visa, while those who completed a doctorate get four years.