The H-1B programme is a key policy mechanism for international students in the United States. Aside from the heavily used Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, the H-1B is for foreign students to stay and work in the United States after graduation.

The current version of the H-1B was established in 1990 as a visa class for foreign nationals who come to the US to work in “specialty occupations.” In practice, this has meant that the programme skews heavily to graduates from STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) or in other professional streams. As of 2023, for example, the majority of H-1B visas were issued for technology specialists, such as computer scientists or engineers.

As such, the programme has played a pivotal role in retaining highly skilled talent in the United States, and especially so for Chinese and Indian graduates over the years. This has in turn had a massive impact on technological advancement and innovation in the country. And it would not be overstating the case to say that the H-1B is a major factor in the attractiveness of the US for foreign students, as it provides the main pathway to long-term post-graduate work opportunities in the country. For many, it is also a stepping stone to a green card and permanent residency in the United States.

“Many of the workers who have received the [H-1B] visas are software engineers, computer programmers and others in the technology industry,” says a recent report in the . “Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple and IBM were among the companies that employed the most H-1B visa holders last year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. But many do work in other professions, including education, health care and manufacturing…There is no cap for each country, and a vast majority — between about two-thirds and just over three-quarters — of recipients come from one: India.”

The programme is employer-sponsored, which means that prospective employers must file a petition on behalf of an H-1B candidate. Aside from explicitly connecting a foreign graduate with a job opportunity in the US, the petition is meant to demonstrate the specialised skills and training required for the role.

The initial H-1B is valid for a period of three years, and can be extended up to a maximum of six years. Further extensions may be possible for visa holders pursuing permanent residency.

The programme operates with an annual cap of 65,000, and an additional 20,000 spaces for those with advanced degrees for a total annual allocation of 85,000 visas. The H-1Bs are awarded via a lottery system currently.

The cost for an H-1B visa ranges between roughly US$2,000 and US$5,000. Petitioning employers pay an initial registration fee of US$215 and then additional fees if their candidate is awarded a visa.

Scale of impact

A January 2025 analysis from public policy group estimates that there are as many as 730,000 H-1B holders in the US this year, with an additional 550,000 accompanying dependants.

This means that the programme accounts for roughly 1.3 million US residents. FWD.us further estimates that, “H-1B holders and their spouses contribute US$86 billion annually to the US economy and pay approximately US$24 billion in federal and payroll taxes, as well as US$11 billion in state and local taxes each year. H-1B holders also contribute to their local economies; for example, H-1B holders own 300,000 homes and nearly 1 million vehicles.”

The $100,000 question

On 19 September 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that petitioning employers would now be required in order to secure an H-1B visa.

The administration has that this fee applies to new applications only, specifically to those filed after 12:01 am ET on 21 September 2025.

President Trump’s proclamation argues that the fee is necessary because the H-1B visa class “has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labor. The large-scale replacement of American workers through systemic abuse of the program has undermined both our economic and national security.”

The massive fee increase has stirred controversy and concern, both within the US and abroad. The general expectation is that many prospective US employers will opt not to pay the large fee, and that the H-1B path will be badly eroded as a result. Others have speculated that this will concentrate H-1B-supported talent even more heavily within the largest technology companies in the United States.

A report in Al Jazeera sets out that, “Trump’s move could lead to weaker economic growth in the US, experts have warned, since higher costs for employers will make it harder to retain foreign talent. It could also lead to a near-term ‘brain drain’, as skilled university graduates are forced to leave the US in favour of other countries.” The report notes a number of other nations, including the UK and China, that are taking concrete measures to attract skilled talent.

Meanwhile, major technology employers in Silicon Valley urged H-1B holders not to travel outside the US until the implications of the new rule became more clear. This led to scenes like one widely circulated example from an Emirates flight in San Franciso. The flight had boarded and was about to take off for Dubai when the news of the H-1B policy broke, leading a number of Indian passengers to abruptly disembark rather than risk not be able to re-enter the country.

The move has also been widely covered in India, where the press reaction has been one of alarm and condemnation. “US President Donald Trump’s newly announced H-1B visa fee hike has shattered so many Indians’ dreams,” said one report in . The overarching theme of the coverage is that the link between study in the United States and the opportunity to stay and work in the country has been broken.

Writing on LinkedIn, Toronto-based immigration consultant Gautham Kolluri described the 19 September proclamation as, “[The] end of an era for the Silicon Valley, for the Indian Tech community, and a sad day for international students in the US.”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has weighed in as well, cautioning that the move could create “humanitarian consequences” by disrupting families.

More changes ahead

The President’s 19 September proclamation alluded to further changes in the H-1B to follow, and the first of those emerged on 24 September when the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule setting out a new “.”

“Under the existing H-1B registration process, [DHS] runs the H-1B selection process to randomly select unique beneficiaries based on properly submitted electronic registrations,” says the supporting information for the rule change. “DHS proposes to amend the process through which it selects registrations for unique beneficiaries to move away from a purely random selection process to a weighted selection process…Specifically, the proposal would weight registrations (or petitions) for selection generally based on each beneficiary’s equivalent wage levels…Through the proposed regulatory revisions, DHS aims to implement the numerical cap in a way that incentivises employers to offer higher wages, or to petition for positions requiring higher skills and higher skilled aliens, that are commensurate with higher wage levels.”

The proposed rule is now subject to a 30-day comment period, beginning on 24 September.

A possible legal challenge

It appears likely that the President’s H-1B proclamation will be subjected to legal challenge. “Several immigrant advocacy groups and business groups have said that Trump’s proclamation is illegal and that they could sue to block the order along with any regulations federal agencies adopt to implement it,” says . The report continues, “Trump’s order is unprecedented and it is unclear whether it is legally valid. Federal immigration law allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes visa applications, to collect fees, but only those necessary to cover the costs of administering the program. And some experts said that because the existing fee structure was authorized by Congress and is periodically tweaked by USCIS through formal regulations, it is unlikely the president has the power to separately impose additional fees.”

Regardless of the outcome of any such legal challenge, the 19 September proclamation has signals the US administration’s continued willingness to re-write the country’s immigration policies as they pertain to foreign students. And it has for now placed a considerable measure of uncertainty in front of prospective and current students alike, especially those that were intending to pursue an H-1B after their studies.

For additional background, please see:

• “US proposes new rules for student visas including term limits and other restrictions“
• “US: International commencements could drop by 30-40% this September“
• “US institutions bracing for a challenging enrolment outlook for 2025/26“
• “China opens up to global STEM talent with new visa class“

The post US administration’s new H-1B policies create uncertainty around post-study work rights appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Whatever way you parse those results, that is an impressive amount of skill and opportunity that could be leveraged by Germany. But the survey also shows that only a third of foreign students in the country feel that they are well prepared to transition to a career in Germany. Many are looking for more support, especially in terms of career services, advanced language skills, and networking among Germany employers.

“Anyone studying in Germany today wants to help shape the future of our country,” says German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) President Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. “This is a great opportunity, especially in view of the shortage of skilled labour and demographic change. We should make the best possible use of it.”

He cautions, however, that, “If we want to attract international students as future skilled workers, we need to prepare them better for the labour market. This requires targeted programmes at universities and more staff who are permanently available to universities for this task.”

These early findings are drawn from a survey commissioned by DAAD and conducted in the winter semester of 2023/24. It gathered responses . The survey makes it clear as well that those students are especially drawn to study in Germany by three factors: the affordability of degree studies at German universities, the career opportunities arising from those qualifications, and the wide availability of English-taught programmes. On the point of language of instruction, DAAD adds, “English-language study programmes remain an important recruitment tool. It is crucial to provide international students with targeted support in learning German – ideally through integrated language courses during their studies. This is particularly crucial with a view to later integration into the labour market.”

Meanwhile, the underlying business case for those expanded career and transition supports for foreign graduates is quite strong. A related analysis by the German Economic Institute finds that, even with a stay rate of 40% after graduation, each cohort of foreign students in Germany contributes a net economic impact of €16 billion.

These findings are accumulating as Germany continues to report steady growth in its foreign enrolment. DAAD estimates that there are currently 405,000 international students in the country. The OECD recently reported as well that Germany has the highest retention rate of international students among leading study destinations (together with Canada). The OECD reports that ten years after starting their studies, 45% of foreign graduates are still in the country. The current DAAD survey, however, suggests that that stay rate could be notably higher still – and with a correspondingly greater impact on Germany’s economy – if transition supports for foreign graduates are further strengthened.

For additional background, please see:

• “Germany recovers an 8x return on investment in international students“
• “Germany projected to exceed 400,000 international students in 2024/25“
• “Germany expands in-study work opportunities for foreign students“
• “Germany announces new labour force integration initiatives for foreign students and graduates“

The post Many foreign students want to stay in Germany but need more help with the transition to life after study appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

In her foreword to the paper, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Throughout our history, Britain has been strengthened by people coming to start new businesses, study at our universities, contribute to our sporting or creative excellence, work in our [National Health System] or do some of the toughest jobs in our country. We have a proud tradition as an outward-looking nation, investing and trading abroad, and welcoming the creativity, ideas and diversity of those who come to contribute here.

But to be successful, effective and fair, our immigration system must be properly controlled and managed. This White Paper sets out how those controls and a fair managed system will be restored.”

In his opening comment, Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that, “Migration is part of Britain’s national story and an essential element of a strong economy…In 2023, under the previous government, inward migration exploded to over a million people a year – four times the level compared with 2019. This was a political choice that was never put before the British people. In fact, quite the opposite – the previous government repeatedly promised inward migration would be brought under control. Instead, Britain became a one-nation experiment in open borders.”

The paper provides some additional detail on that recent-year surge in migration numbers, explaining that, “Net migration hit a record high of +906,000 in June 2023 and quadrupled from its level of 224,000 in June 2019. In the latest data, for the year ending June 2024, net migration was +728,000. While levels of net migration have come down slightly in the latest year, it remains significantly above the level of net migration at any period in recent history, having averaged between 200,000 to 300,000 per year from 2010 to 2019.”

The current government intends to bring those numbers down more aggressively. The paper leaves many questions unanswered in terms of the timing and details of implementation, but is explicit in its estimated impact of the various measures. Some key provisions affecting the Student Route, for example, are projected to reduce international student visa issuances by about 31,000 per year, or roughly 9% of 2023/24 levels. This represents about 32% of the total projected reduction in net migration to the UK outlined in the white paper.

Measures affecting the Student Route

The paper sets out several points of concern with respect to the Student Route: “We have seen a series of problems involving misuse and exploitation of student visas, where visas are used as an entry point for living and working in the UK without any intention to complete the course, and increasing numbers of asylum claims from students at the end of their course, even though nothing substantive has changed in their home country while they have been in the UK…It is essential that opportunities to study in the UK are only given to individuals who are genuinely here to do so, and that the universities who sponsor those individuals to study here are treating that responsibility with the seriousness it deserves. It is also important that those graduates who are allowed to remain in the UK for a temporary period after their studies contribute to our economy at an appropriate level.”

Responding in this week, News Editor Michael Salmon makes the overall significance of the white paper very clear: “The last few years of policy turmoil has demonstrated that much of the impact of migration policy on student recruitment is determined by how changes are interpreted by prospective students weighing up their choices between different destination countries.”

The changes that students will now be asked to weigh up when considering study in the UK include the following.

A reduced Graduate Route

The Graduate route was re-established in July 2021. It allows foreign students to stay in the UK for up to two years (or up to three years for PhD students) after graduation.

“The purpose of the route,” outlines the white paper, “is for international student graduates to work, or look for work, following the successful completion of an eligible course…We recognise the valuable contributions that graduates make to the UK but it is important that those who stay transition into graduate level jobs and are properly contributing to our economy.” The paper adds that, “The number of graduates staying on as part of the Graduate route has increased over time to almost 250,000 in 2024…up from under 100,000 in 2022.”

With more implementation details to follow, the paper sets out that the Graduate Route will be reduced (from the current two years) to a period of 18 months for students completing undergraduate and master’s programmes. (It appears that the Graduate Route term for doctoral students will remain unchanged.)

A new levy on higher education enrolments

“International students have a significant positive impact to the UK economy,” states the white paper. “In 2021, international students at UK universities generated an estimated ÂŁ20.65 billion in exports through living expenditure and tuition fees, but it is right that these benefits are shared. The Government will explore introducing a levy on higher education provider income from international students, to be reinvested into the higher education and skills system.”

There are few details in this area but the accompanying technical annex specifies a levy of 6% on international student fees, part of the presumed impact of which is to (a) raise fees for foreign students and (b) depress, to some extent at least, demand for study in the UK.

Strengthened compliance requirements for institutions

The government currently relies on an annual Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) for monitoring and evaluating higher education institutions in the UK with respect to their sponsored visa status. The BCA relies on three key metrics currently, with each sponsoring institution required meet these pass/fail thresholds:

• a visa refusal rate of less than 10%
• a course enrolment rate of at least 90% and
• a course completion rate of at least 85%.

A fail rating on any one of those can result in the institution having its sponsorship license revoked for up to two years. The government will move to strengthen these compliance requirements in a number of areas in order to “prevent the misuse of student visas.” To that end, the government will:

• “Raise the minimum pass requirement of each BCA metric by five percentage points, so that – for example – a sponsor must maintain a course enrolment rate of at least 95% and a course completion rate of 90% in order to pass the compliance threshold.”

• “Implement a new Red-Amber-Green banding system to rate the BCA performance of each sponsor, so that it is clear to them, the authorities and the public which institutions are achieving a high rate of compliance, and which are at risk of failing.”

• “Introduce new interventions for sponsors who are close to failing their metrics, including placing them on a bespoke action plan designed to improve their compliance, and imposing limits on the number of new international students they can recruit while they are subject to those plans.”

• “Require all sponsors wishing to use recruitment agents for overseas students to sign up to the Agent Quality Framework, designed to maintain the highest standards of agent management, and ensure that institutions cannot simply outsource their responsibility to ensure that the individuals whose visas they are sponsoring are genuinely coming to the UK to study.”

Increased English proficiency requirements for dependants and settlement

The white paper draws a direct line between English proficiency and successful integration into British society for visiting students and their dependants. “People who could not speak English are less likely to be employed. In the 2021 Census, just under 70% of migrants who were proficient in English were either employed or self-employed, compared to 50% of those who could not speak English well or at all. In addition to having higher employment rates, migrants with good English language skills tend to work in jobs requiring a higher level of skills. For example, 9% of migrants who spoke English as a main language worked in lower skilled roles in 2021, compared to 40% of migrants who could not speak English well or at all.”

With that in mind, there will be a new English-language requirement for all adult dependants of foreign students. Those accompanying family members will now have to demonstrate an English ability at level A1 (Basic User) in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The government has noted as well that it “will work towards increasing this requirement over time.”

Settlement requirements across all immigration routes will also be increased from CEFR B1 to B2 (Independent User).

A longer time horizon for settlement

The process for permanent settlement will also change, in particular through revision and expansion of the points-based system and an increase in the standard qualifying period to ten years (this amounts to a doubling from the current five-year qualifying period).

A measured response so far

The points in the white paper that will draw the greatest attention are the proposed levy on international fees and the reduction in the Graduate Route period for undergraduate and graduate students. We see that focus reflected in the early commentary from peak bodies and senior practitioners online:

“Reducing the length of post-study work on the Graduate Route will make the UK less competitive internationally, although we welcome that this reduction does not apply to PhD students,” said Russell Group Chief Executive Dr Tim Bradshaw. “It’s now crucial that we continue to make international students feel welcome and valued, and provide a stable policy environment to give the sector confidence in recruiting globally.”

He added: “We’re awaiting further details of a proposed levy on international student income, but this will be a serious concern for universities already making difficult decisions to safeguard their financial future.”

Universities UK Chief Executive Vivienne Stern said, “Our universities recognise public concerns about immigration. That is why we are committed to maintaining robust recruitment practices. We work closely with government to ensure that international student recruitment is sustainable, and growth is well-managed. Many of the changes announced today build on proposals published by UUK in September and will help preserve an internationally competitive offer to international students. Confirmation that the Graduate route will remain in place with some minor changes is particularly welcome.

However, the financial challenges facing universities are well known. Following years of frozen fees, inadequate research funding and a rapid downturn in international students, the current operating environment is very challenging. We would urge government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination.”

Speaking to Times Higher Education, Oxford International Education Group Chief Executive Lil Bremermann-Richard said of the levy, “I think this is dipping into the pockets of universities yet more. They are expected to work harder at compliance, harder at student experience, pay higher National Insurance contributions, work with less investment for domestic students, innovate, and pay a new levy.”

For additional background, please see:

• “Global survey underscores demand shift from ‘Big Four’ to ‘Big Ten’“
• “Australia and Canada: Rising to the challenge of new immigration policies“
• “Summing up international student work rights in 14 top study destinations“
• “UK commission calls for a more strategic and sustainable approach to international student recruitment“
• “UK: Reduced demand from India, Nigeria, and Bangladesh drive a 14% decline in sponsored study visas in 2024“
• “UK: Study visa applications and issuances on the rise in 2025“

The post UK sets out new immigration strategy, will reduce Graduate Route work term to 18 months appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

°ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s includes phased reductions to permanent resident targets, and, for the first time, specific targets for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers. The latter is particularly significant as until the current plan (and notwithstanding the caps on foreign student enrolment introduced in 2024), there had never been any limits on temporary migration to Canada.

Under the current plan, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is targeting 395,000 permanent resident admissions in 2025, decreasing to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. Each of these annual targets represents a significant reduction from IRCC’s previous plans, which had originally aimed to add 500,000 permanent residents per year.

The IRCC plan also sets out a goal to reduce the overall proportion of temporary residents, including foreign students and temporary workers, to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026. Shortly after the IRCC plan was first released, the Bank of Canada signalled that it was unlikely the country would reach that target for temporary residents by 2026. Mr Carney appeared to concur with that finding in his press conference when he asserted that Canada would continue to work to that 5% target, but would aim to reach it by the end of 2027.

Statistics Canada estimates that there were as of Q1 2025, including a foreign student base of just under 1 million. Given Canada’s current population base of 41.5 million, that would indicate that the proportion of temporary residents is currently about 7.25%.

Canada’s overall population is projected to remain essentially flat through 2027, which means that the government must reduce the number of non-permanent residents by roughly 1 million over the next three years – a goal it aims to meet by reducing the number of new arrivals in each year.

That reduction, at least with respect to international students, has already begun by virtue of the foreign enrolment cap and other restrictive policies that came into effect in 2024. The impact of those new settings is not yet substantially reflected in IRCC data, which still puts the number of foreign students in the country at just under 1 million as of 31 December 2024. But, amid widespread reports of significant declines in international student numbers from institutions and schools across the country, we can only expect that those official statistics will be considerably reduced in 2025.

Going forward, we can expect that the Canadian government will continue to restrict the number of new students entering the country through 2027. The reduced targets for permanent migration will also mean that foreign graduates wishing to take up permanent residency in Canada will do so through a more competitive process.

International educators respond

Canada’s peak bodies were quick to comment on the election results and the outlook for the sector going forward.

“In recent years, °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s international education sector has been tested,” says a statement from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). “Policy shifts, processing challenges, and reputational impacts have placed new pressures on students, institutions, communities, and industries across the country. At this critical juncture, we must now work together to rebuild trust, modernize systems, and strategically position international education as a cornerstone of °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s prosperity and resilience.”

“Canada can’t win the race for top talent without a bold, coordinated plan. As other countries ramp up recruitment and with growing uncertainty in the US, delays in visa processing and unclear immigration pathways are costing Canada talent and opportunity. °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s global reputation has taken a hit with recent policies eroding the trust and confidence that once made Canada a top destination,” added Universities Canada.

Pari Johnston, CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), said, “Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney and all elected parliamentarians. As the trainers of the builders, makers, growers, first responders and caregivers Canadians depend on, we look forward to working together in the years to come to meet the moment and build a strong and resilient Canada.”

For additional background, please see:

• “High study visa refusal rates disrupting the international education landscape“
• “International degree graduates of Canadian colleges no longer have to meet ‘field of study’ requirements for post-study work permits“
• “Canada announces international student enrolment cap levels for 2025“
• “Canada: Updated rules for PGWP-eligible college programmes and student transfers“
• “Financial impact of new immigration settings in Canada already being measured in the billions“

The post °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s new government strikes a more conservative note on immigration appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

The Act aims to increase the number of foreign workers, skilled workers in particular, in Germany and is designed to address ongoing labour market gaps in the country.

The latest measures outlined in the Act came into force on 1 March 2024, including .

First and foremost, international students from outside the European Union may now work up to 20 hours per week (an increase from the previous limit of 10 hours per week). Importantly, this provision also now applies to students who enter Germany but have not been admitted to a German university – that is, during an in-country search for a programme start – or for those that are engaged in German language training or other preparatory studies for higher education.

“This creates flexibility, makes it easier to secure a living and makes the transition into the labor market easier. This makes it even more attractive to come to Germany to start studying or vocational training and to stay here as a skilled worker after graduating,” notes an accompanying statement from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

As in any other study destination where work rights have been expanded, these measures will also clearly have the effect of improving Germany’s competitiveness in international student markets. An early 2023 position paper from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) proposed increased action between higher education institutions and government to double the retention rate for foreign graduates in the country.

“In Germany, we have been heading towards an ever-increasing gap in skilled workers on the labour market for several years. At the same time, the Federal Republic is becoming increasingly popular as a place to study,” DAAD President Dr Joybrato Mukherjee said at the time. “We need to think about both developments together and show international students more effectively and in greater numbers the path to a professional career in Germany. They are highly qualified and well-integrated, and we should make more strategic use of their exciting potential as skilled workers in Germany. As the DAAD, we see politics, universities and industry as having a joint responsibility in this regard.”

The 1 March measures also follow close on the heels of a joint announcement between DAAD and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in December 2023 outlining:

• funding of up to €120 million through 2028 in order to smooth the transition to work for foreign graduates; and
• the introduction of two new labour force integration programmes designed to boost the retention of foreign graduates.

Germany reported a record-high foreign enrolment for 2022/23. International student numbers reached 367,578 that year, up 5% over the year before, and with non-EU enrolments, particularly students from India and China, driving much of that growth.

For additional background, please see:

• “International enrolments in German higher education rise again for a new record“
• “Germany announces new labour force integration initiatives for foreign students and graduates“
• “Peak body calls for strategy to double Germany’s retention of international students by 2030“

The post Germany expands in-study work opportunities for foreign students appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Earlier this year, Randeep Sarai, a Liberal Member of Parliament filed a successful motion calling on the government to develop a plan to expand immigration pathways. Now, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has released , and it focuses on linking immigration programmes to skills gaps in the Canadian economy.

And we’re back! 
 
Kicked things off this session by presenting the ways our government is looking to expand pathways to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers & intl students. A special thanks to my colleague for bringing forth this important motion.

— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP)

The strategy dovetails with the government’s announcement of the highest ever immigration targets for Canada: 431,645 permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 in 2023, and 451,000 in 2024.

Reforms ahead for Express Entry

The government plans to reform the Express Entry system through which international students apply for permanent residency. The Express Entry system comprises immigration streams such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Reforms to the system will include “increasing flexibility in immigration selection tools,” with a goal to:

• “Respond to labour market needs and regional economic priorities;
• Increase Francophone immigration by selecting more candidates with specific attributes, such as in-Canada experience.”

In addition, there is to be a review of the ranking system underlying Express Entry – “particularly points awarded for Canadian work experience and education, language proficiency, and a job offer.”

Work permits for family members

In developing the strategy, the government is also considering the issuance of work permits to the family members of foreign workers and international students holding post-graduation work permits (PGWPs). These work permits would be “valid for a duration of at least six months, with some exceptions,” and would “respond to the family reunification mandate priority and provide an additional source of labour for Canada.”

Priority sectors

An official press release hints at the fields of study that will be prioritised by Canadian immigration officials who will be given more flexibility in selecting candidates for permanent residency:
 
“Our goal is to strengthen the connection between the labour market and our immigration programmes, to ensure the Canadian economy has the broad range of skills needed across all different sectors from health, hospitality, transportation, trades and resources, IT and engineering.”
 
In addition, the intention is to remove barriers to immigration for students and workers involved in essential fields – including medicine, caregiving, and agri-food – as well as construction and “professional, scientific and technical services.”

A concern about diversification

In a section of devoted to international students, the government voices a concern about °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s international student population being insufficiently diverse and too narrowly concentrated in a few fields of study:

“Despite growing in size, the international student population has become less diverse over the past two decades with increased concentration in certain source countries, provinces of study, and fields of study. IRCC is exploring strategies to diversify the source countries for °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s International Student Program, as well as ways to incentivise students to look beyond major urban centres when choosing a programme of study.”

These concerns – and goals – are echoed by international education stakeholders not just in Canada, but in the other leading destinations for study abroad. Our upcoming şÚÁĎąŮÍř Insights magazine (October 2022) will look at diversification not only in terms of student nationality, but also as it relates to enrolling students more evenly across programme areas. A best practice for achieving this type of diversification is to provide evidence to prospective international students that graduates from specific programmes are in high demand among employers in related industries/professions.
 
Canadian educators developing programmes in priority areas identified by the government in its new strategy might be interested in Studyportals’ recommendation to promote these programmes as early as possible:

“There is a lag between when the first universities introduce these courses, and when they become more mainstream. It is that lag, when student interest is rising, that can and should be shortened.”

Agents can play a key role in helping to attract international students to new programmes. In a recent survey we conducted with agents in 11 top emerging markets, agents in all markets but one said that at least 50% of the students they worked with are open to agents’ recommendations about a variety of programmes.
 
For additional information, please see:

• “What role can agents play in diversifying foreign enrolment across a wider range of fields of study”
• “New report highlights fields of study with surging international student interest”

The post Canada moving to boost pathways to permanent residency for international students   appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Road to permanent residency will be easier

International students – and their families – will now receive “continuous” permits valid for the duration of programmes rather than “temporary” permits granted for only two years. This will mean that students will not need to apply for extensions during their studies, and it will also make it easier for them to obtain a permanent residence permit after graduation. This is because permanent residence permits are only granted to foreigners who have held a continuous residence permit for four consecutive years.

To obtain their residence permit, international students must demonstrate that they have adequate financial resources to fund the first year of their studies: €560 per month or €6,720 per year.

The importance of family ties

The decision to include students’ families in the new permit allowance is important; it may have been informed by research showing that students are more likely to choose to immigrate if they have family in Finland. by researchers Charles F Mathies and Hannu Karhunen among more than 13,000 international graduates of Finnish universities found that those students who had family ties in Finland were more likely to choose to migrate there. The researchers noted that “Choosing to migrate is not a choice made in isolation. Often, families (parents, spouses, children) are directly and indirectly a part of the process.”

More work hours during studies

The government also announced that it is extending the number of hours international students can work while studying to 30 per week (up from 25) and extending the duration of the “jobseeker’s permit” for international graduates and researchers from one year to two years. Students can apply for the permit up to five years after graduation, and they can even apply from outside of Finland – a significant detail for those graduates who have left the country in the past few years after running out of time in which to find a job.

Announcing the changes, Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen said,

“With seamless permit practices, the Government wants to make it easier for international students and researchers to stay in Finland. The new law will enable those who have studied here to look for work and will make Finland a more attractive destination for international experts.”

Finland faces labour force issues that include employers not being able to find qualified workers for open positions. In 2019, more than half (56%) of businesses said that they had been looking to hire employees in the past 12 months and 44% said they had difficulties finding suitable candidates. Smoothing the pathway for international students to enter the workforce is in line with an effort to fill skills gaps in the Finnish economy.

Educators applaud the reforms

Finnish educators have been eagerly awaiting these immigration reforms. While the reforms were in the proposal stage, Esko Koponen, an international education specialist at the University of Helsinki, told Finland-based that,

“[The reforms] will facilitate the permit process and remove uncertainty about continuing studies and living in Finland until graduation. Additionally, [the reforms] would improve opportunities for foreign students to find work in Finland after finishing their degrees, which is the goal of many international students.”

Maija Kuiri, the director for study and international affairs at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), told Yle that the “reforms would send a positive signal to prospective students who were still deciding about which country to study in.”

While international students generally provide high ratings for their studies in Finland, finding a job after graduation has long been . In 2017, about half of international students in Finland surveyed for i-graduate’s International Student Barometer said they wanted to remain after graduating but had trouble doing so.

Applications grow despite imposition of tuition fees

There was some speculation that international student numbers would fall in Finland after the government introduced mandatory tuition fees for non-EU students enrolling in English-taught bachelor and master’s programmes in 2017. However, enrolments have fallen only marginally in the years since. Just over 20,000 non-EU students enrolled in Finnish higher education in 2018/19 compared with just over 21,000 in 2016/17, and application volumes rose significantly in 2021 over 2020.
 
Non-EU students’ applications to Finnish universities jumped by 141% in 2021 – from 1,756 to 4,233 – according to the Finnish Immigration Service, and the vast majority (93%) were approved.
 
The bulk of applications came from Russia and China, but universities also reported a significant volume of applications from Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. In recent years, Finland has been building a more diverse international student body. In 2019, 31,913 students came to the country from both EU and non-EU countries, and the following chart from IIE shows .

Visa processing and approval rates competitive advantages

Finland is processing students’ applications more rapidly than many countries – in the January–August 2021 period, the processing time for a first residence permit (the permit needed for studies in Finland) was 12 days or less. Research has shown that students consider visa processing delays/difficulties to be a major barrier to study abroad, so Finland’s quick processing of permits is likely helping educators there to recruit students who might be considering more than one destination. By way of comparison, the current visa processing average for Canada is and .

That 93% of non-EU students’ first residence permit applications for study in Finland were approved in 2021 is also noteworthy – it’s a very high approval rate relative to Canada and also higher than the rate in the US (85%). European governments in general are approving more non-EU study visas at higher rates than in North America (e.g., 96.5% and 92% for ).

Asian students go to Finland more than to other Nordic destinations

Finland is attracting more students from Asia than many other European destinations. ,

“Among international students in Finland, 39% come from Asia, which is more than in other Nordic countries like Denmark (10%), Iceland (16%), Norway (31%) and Sweden (29%).”

The impressive range of Asian countries represented in Finland’s tertiary student population will be important going forward, as Finland’s ability to recruit in China and Russia may be affected by the Ukraine invasion and by whether Finland decides to apply to NATO as a result of increased Russian aggression.

For additional background, please see:

• “Finland resets on international recruitment”
• “Increasing the “stay rate” of international students”
   

The post Finland makes it easier for international students to work and stay appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Eligible essential workers are those working in one of 40 healthcare occupations “as well as 95 other essential jobs across a range of fields, like caregiving and food production and distribution.” Many of these workers have been crucial contributors to °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s fight against COVID and, as in other countries, the pandemic has revealed the massive extent to which workers in frontline jobs (which span a range of sectors) are the linchpins of a functioning society and economy.

International graduates must have completed a higher education programme in Canada within the last four years (no earlier than January 2017). Of the 90,000 total, who have graduated from a Canadian institution.

Students and workers can begin applying for permanent residency under this new immigration stream 6 May 2021, and the window for applications is open until 5 November 2021, or until the limit has been reached.

There are three special streams for as well, and these have no intake caps “in order to promote °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s official languages”.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino issued this statement about the new spaces being opened up for international workers and students:

“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers. These new policies will help those with a temporary status to plan their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery and help us build back better. Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting—and we want you to stay.”

He added to ,

“This isn’t just about giving people a new piece of paper. We’re creating a pathway for newcomers that will strengthen their job security, expand their career horizons and encourage them to put down deeper roots in our communities where they are giving back.”

The new pathway is part of °ä˛ą˛Ô˛ą»ĺ˛ąâ€™s overall 2021 Immigration Levels Plan, the goal of which is to see Canada welcome this year.

It is also the latest in a series of immigration policy updates aimed at encouraging students to keep enrolling with Canadian institutions and to stay on after graduation to join the country’s labour force. Just last month, the government announced that international students can complete 100% of their programmes with an approved Canadian post-secondary institution from their home countries and still be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Program (PGWP).

For additional background, please see:

• “Canada: International students can complete studies online and still be eligible for post-study work permit”

The post Canada opens new immigration pathway for international graduates appeared first on şÚÁĎąŮÍř Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.