Pull and Push Factors for International Students in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom NAFSA: Association of International Educators Boston, Massachusetts May 28, 2015
Presenters: Jennifer Humphries , Vice-President, Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Brett Blacker , President, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Dominic Scott , Chief Executive, UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
Learning Objectives • Gain knowledge of current immigration policies for international students in Australia, Canada and the UK, recent changes, and programs that encourage or discourage retention • Consider how immigration policy impacts the ability of the country to attract and retain international students • Understand the role that educational institutions play in immigration policy and practice
CBIE at a glance • National, bilingual, not-for-profit, membership organization founded in 1966 – celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2016 • Dedicated to the internationalization of education and partnerships between Canada and countries across the globe • 150 members across Canada & sister associations worldwide including NAFSA • 49 th Annual Conference: Niagara Falls, November 22-25, 2015 – first ever conference ‘on the border’
Canada: Permanent Immigration • Target: 250,000 to 285,000 immigrants in 2015. • Skilled workers (economic immigrants), Family members (including spouses) and Refugees. • For the past 20 years, Canada has welcomed over 200,000 permanent immigrants per year. Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2013/permanent/01.asp
Immigration Trends • In 2011, Canada had a foreign-born population of about 6,775,800 people representing 20.6% of the total population, highest proportion in G8. • Asia (including the Middle East) was Canada's largest source of immigrants in the past five years, although the share of immigration from Africa, Caribbean, Central and South America increased slightly. • The vast majority of the foreign-born population lived in four provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Québec and Alberta, and most lived in the nation's largest urban centres. • More than 200 ethnic origins were reported in the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011,13 different ethnic origins had surpassed the 1-million mark. Source: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010-x2011001-eng.cfm
Students: Ideal Immigrants • International students have Canadian education and training. • High level of English and/or French. • Education credentials that will be recognized by Canadian employers. • Adjusted to Canadian society. • Likely to integrate into the Canadian job market with less difficulty.
Students: Ideal Immigrants Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/2015/2015-04-10/photo.asp
Impacts of Immigration Policy on International Student Decision-Making • In CBIE’s 2014 Survey, 35% of students said that the possibility of working full-time in Canada post-graduation was a key reason for choosing Canada. • The opportunity to work part-time during studies was also important. • Being able to apply for permanent resident status without leaving the country was valued.
Where do students come from? Top 10 countries of origin China 26,238 France 8,325 India 8,142 United States 7,437 Korea 4,218 Saudi Arabia 3,168 Iran 2,805 Nigeria 2,031 Pakistan 1,929 China, Hong Kong 1,566
International students in Canada by year, 2003 to 2013, all levels of study
Student satisfaction with their Canadian experience Source: CBIE – A World of Learning – Canada’s performance and potential in international education
Pull Factors • Post Graduation Work Permit • On-Campus and Off-Campus Work – No Permit Needed • Co-op Work • Spouses can work in Canada • Application from within Canada for change in Study Permit, Permanent Resident status • Canadian Experience Class • Provincial Nominee Programs • Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program
Push Factors • NEW Express Entry: Concern about Comprehensive Ranking System which focuses on work and does not give added points for education in Canada • NEW International Mobility Program Changes: New requirements for short-term research students, visiting researchers, workers • NEW Compliance Reporting: Definitions and technical issues • Section 91: International Student Advisers (ISAs) cannot advise students unless they are regulated – NEW RISIA program • Processing Delays: Perception is negative even when times improve
Intention to seek permanent resident status in Canada following studies, by region of origin MENA = Middle East and Northern Africa Source: CBIE – A World of Learning – Canada’s performance and potential in international education
Canada’s International Education Strategy • Recognizes international education as a priority sector • The International Education Strategy is centred on: • Setting targets to attract international students • Focusing on six priority education markets • Branding Canada • Strengthening research partnerships and educational exchanges • Supporting activities and leveraging resources to maximize results
Canada’s Global Engagement Challenge Branding Canadian education and research for its excellence and • innovation Positioning study abroad for Canadians as an imperative for economic • competitiveness and social development Delivering on the promise of the international student experience • Reinforcing Canada's role as a "partner" (rather than "poacher") in its • approach to international education
In Conclusion: Lots of Pulls, some Pushes • Enhancements in June 2014 • Work opportunities for students and spouses • Supportive environment: international student services, welcoming, multicultural campuses and communities • Great pathways from language learning, secondary level studies, orientation and foundation programs, to post-secondary education in colleges, institutes, cégeps, universities BUT • Uncertainty – policy/practice changes in 2015 • Processing delays Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp
Pull and Push Factors for International students in Australia, Canada and the UK Australia update Brett Blacker President, International Education Association Australia (IEAA) Director International University of Newcastle 28 May 2015
Pull Factors: Significant Policy Drivers Genuine Temporary Entrant Streamlined Visa Processing And Post Study Work rights ieaa.org.au
Genuine Temporary Entrants On 5 November 2011, the Government introduced a new genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement as an upfront integrity measure. Student visa applicants must be both a GTE and a Genuine Student to be granted a visa. To be granted a student visa, applicants must satisfy the department that they have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily. Factors that the department considers as part of the GTE requirement include: • circumstances in the applicant’s home country • the applicant’s potential circumstances in Australia • the applicant’s immigration history • the value of the course to the applicant’s future • any other matter relevant to the applicant’s intention to stay temporarily. ieaa.org.au
Streamlined Visa Processing – updates On 24 March 2012 Streamlined Student Visa processing arrangements were introduced for prospective international students with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a participating university at bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level or for a non-award university student exchange or study abroad programme. On 22 March 2014 Streamlined Student Visa processing arrangements were extended to certain eligible non-university higher education providers for bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level courses. On 23 November 2014 Streamlined student visa processing arrangements were extended to certain eligible vocational education and training (VET) and higher education providers for advanced diploma level courses. ieaa.org.au
Post Study Work These arrangements provide an opportunity for graduates to spend some time in Australia following their studies, gaining practical work experience to accompany their Australian qualification. The post-study work arrangements are not linked to the skilled migration program. • Applicants will not need to nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List or undertake a skills assessment. • This is designed to encourage courses on the basis of their educational interest, rather than a migration outcome. ieaa.org.au
Post Study Work • Bachelors and Masters by Coursework graduates will be eligible for a post-study work of two (2) years. • Masters by Research will be eligible for three (3) years. • Doctoral degree graduates will be eligible for four (4) years. Applicants must meet the Australian Study Requirement which includes 2 academic years study in Australia. Available for students who applied for a student visa on or after 5 November 2011. ieaa.org.au
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