Links
Next content
Read more
The role of cities in shaping immigrant rights: the case of Houston, Texas
Scholars have long argued that national laws most strongly affect immigrant rights, but recent research questions if that is still the case. With growing immigration policy activism by cities in the United States, Europe, and beyond, scholars increasingly underscore the...
The recent study conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship in 2022 sheds light on a disconcerting trend among new immigrants, suggesting a potential decline in their enthusiasm for Canada compared to previous decades. The study reveals that more than one-fifth of recent immigrants are contemplating leaving the country. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among immigrants under the age of 34, with a notable 30 percent expressing a strong likelihood of departing from Canada within the next two years. This concerning issue has garnered attention in prominent publications such as the Toronto Star and National Post, emphasizing the potential ramifications of losing skilled and talented migrants on Canada’s economic growth, demographic balance, and social support system. As part of this ongoing discussion, low retention rates among international students and graduates, who constitute a significant portion of Canada’s skilled migrant population, has received widespread attention (Akbar 2022; Garcia-Sitton 2022; Ortiz 2014).
The Context of International Students
The admission of international students has tripled over the last decade, reaching 807,750 in 2022 (ICEF Monitor 2023; Canada International Student Statistics 2023). This substantial increase can be attributed to Canadian policies prioritizing the attraction of global talent to bolster the knowledge-based economy. These policies aim to harness the potential of international students, leveraging their Canadian education, work experience, and language proficiency to position them as potential sources of highly skilled workers and future permanent residents (Arthur 2017).
The majority of international students historically saw Canada as their long-term residence. The 2018 survey conducted by the CBIE (2018) indicated that approximately 70% of international students intended to remain and work in Canada upon graduation, with 60% planning to apply for permanent residency. However, recent research reveals a stark contrast, with only about 3 in 10 international students who arrived in Canada in 2000 or later achieving landed immigrant status within 10 years (Crossman et al. 2022). This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of Canadian immigration policies in retaining international talent.
Reasons behind Low Retention Rate
Overlooking Post-Arrival Support
While federal and provincial governments have implemented robust policies to facilitate the admission and employment of international students, which have included the International Education Strategy (2019-2024), Edu-Canada, on- and off-campus work permits, and the Post Graduate Work Permit Program, there has been a noticeable lack of emphasis on supporting their transition and integration during their educational journey and transition to the workforce (Akbar 2022). Canada boasts a well-organized federal government-funded settlement service sector, offering free language and employment training, networking opportunities, referrals, and information sessions for permanent residents (Flynn & Bauder 2015). Regrettably, as temporary migrants, international students are ineligible for these services. They often rely on their post-secondary institutions for academic, employment, health, and limited immigration services (Arthur 2017). However, these institutions too often lack adequate resources and staff to provide the broad range of services required by the students, nor are there any accountability measures in place to ensure that these services are in place (Akbar 2022, 2023).