Study Abroad: Pathways For International Students In the US Vs Canada
Studying abroad is a choice for many students in India or any other country. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and some other countries have remained a top priority among students while applying to study abroad. Many factors play an important role in the selection of countries including the permanent residence after the completion of their course work.
Here a comparison is made between the US and Canada, the two countries offering top education and potential pathways to permanent residence. However, the approaches of both these countries differ significantly.
Studying In the United States
US Colleges and Universities do not put a cap on the number of intakes of international students, however, they must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll international students. Registration records must be presented accurately.
Read also: UK’s e-Visa System: How International Students Need To Apply?
Also, the spouses of F-1 and M-1 student visa holders are not permitted to work but can live in the US.
The Optional Training Program (OPT) permits international students on F-1 visas to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months (24 months for STEM graduates) after completing their studies. This work experience is crucial for students seeking to transition from student to employment-based visas or H1B work visas.
The H1B is a non-imigrant work visa for high skilled workers, allowing dual intent i.e. temporary stay while seeking permanent residence. This is subjected to restrictions with an annual cap in different fields. This is only a work visa program- and applicants must apply for permanent residence subsequently.
International students who secure employment in the US may get sponsorship by their employees for the employment based green card. After going through a process and approval by the department of labor, an immigrant petition is filed with USCIS.
Studying In Canada
There is a cap on the number of international students allowed to study in Canada. This year a restriction of 4,37,000 has been put for the students. Also, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) has to be presented by the student along with the college acceptance letter.
The spouses of the students are eligible for work permits however, they must enroll in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university or polytechnic institution in Canada.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work for up to 3 years after completing graduation from Canadian institutions. This work experience helps them to attain permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry System. However, as per a new rule, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 and CLB of 5 is required for university graduates and college graduates respectively to enter the workforce for applications after November 1, 2024.
Read also: Why Canada Is Reducing Study Permits For International Students?
Canada has a provision of Express Entry System immigration system which is a point based system, that includes the Canadian Experiences Class (CEC). Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). International students who gain work experience in Canada can earn additional points, increasing their chances of receiving an inivitation to Apply ITA for permanent residence.
Apart from the Express Entry many Canadian provinces have their own immigration programs to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on the specific needs. International students can be eligible for permanent residence.
