1. CIC Update on International Students CAPS-I Conference May 22, 2009

2. Purpose To provide an update on:  Profile of international students in Canada  CIC recent initiatives  Possible areas for cooperation

3. International Student Program: Overview The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) regulates the entry of all international students into Canada Numbers driven by demand by international students for education in Canada -There are no numerical limits/quotas, but students must meet all regulatory and program requirements Study permits not required for: -Short term course (six month or less) -Courses of general interest or self-improvement -Audited courses -Distance learning -Kindergarten

4. Increasing numbers of foreign students  Annual entries increasing in recent years -79,459 international students entered in 2008  Total students residing in Canada (stocks) also increasing -178,181 students residing in Canada (on December 1, 2008) Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

5.  Students from Korea (13,933) and China (13,663) represented 35% of total annual entries of foreign students in 2008  Followed by France, USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil  Top 10 source countries represent 68% of annual entries of foreign students Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Countries of Origin Relatively Concentrated

6.  Relatively large number of students entering the Secondary/Primary School Sectors  19,809 foreign students entered the secondary/primary sectors in 2008  25% of annual entries for 2008 Source: Facts and Figures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Secondary/Primary School Sectors are Significant Recipient

7. Processing of Study Permit Applications  CIC undertaking number of initiatives to improve processing of study permit applications  78% approval rate for all study permit applications received overseas in 2008, with 65% of SP decisions finalized within 28 days  At primary level, 90% of study permit applications approved with 75% finalized within 28 days  At secondary level, 91% of study permit applications approved with 68% approved within 28 days

8. CIC Updates – Recent Initiatives  Introduction of Visa Application Centre (VAC) Network  Private companies contracted by CIC to assist CIC Missions primarily with data entry  VACs also provide basic services (for a fee) to students/parents related to completeness of applications and ensuring that correct documents are submitted  34 VAC offices currently available in 17 countries  On-line applications overseas scheduled to be introduced for select visa-exempt countries for Summer 2010  In Canada, on-line applications for study permit extensions available as of April 2009  Information on how to create an account and apply on-line at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/epass.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/epass.asp  Institutions to consider recommending use of on-line applications for study permit extensions to students in Canada

9. CIC updates – information products  CIC currently reviewing CIC Mission websites (London website model) and student section of CIC national site  http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/missions/unitedkingdom-royaumeuni/menu- eng.asp (London website) http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/missions/unitedkingdom-royaumeuni/menu- eng.asp  CIC open to receiving comments through CAPS-I related to websites, guides, application forms  New international student pamphlet available by request from Distribution- Unit@CIC.gc.ca  Statistical information: Facts and Figures available on-line at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/menu-fact.asp noting that 2008 statistics still being updated http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/menu-fact.asp

10. CIC Updates – Employment Programs Working Off Campus -Any publicly funded, post-secondary educational institution or certain programs in private post-secondary institutions authorized by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees, located within a province/territory that has signed an MOU with CIC -Open work permits for duration of study -16,538 Off-Campus Work Permits issued in 2008 Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) -Any course/program delivered by a university, community degree-granting college, CÉGEP, publicly funded trade/technical school, or private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees -Open Work Permit, valid for up to 3 years -17,829 Post-graduation Work Permits issued in 2008 Working On Campus -Any course/program delivered by a university, community degree-granting college, CÉGEP, publicly funded trade/technical school, or private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees -Full time studies, no Work Permit required Co-op and internships -No limitation currently on type of educational institution, noting that the co-op or internship must be an essential part of the program of studies -In BC, since province of British Columbia requires high school students to complete work component as requirement of graduation, international students in grade 11-12 eligible to apply for Co-op work permits http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01- eng.pdf (page 58)http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01- eng.pdf -Work should not represent more than 50% of the total length of the program of studies -9,985 Co-op work permits issued in 2008

11. CIC Updates – Best Practices Exercise and Possible Areas for Cooperation  CIC currently undertaking broad exercise to identify best-practices that CIC and stakeholders currently undertake to attract, recruiting, and retain international students in Canada  CAPS-I participating in Best-Practices exercise  Cooperation between CIC and stakeholders important to implement useful practices  Increasing use of existing tools that facilitate processing of study permit applications (e.g. use of VAC services, on-line applications, standard letters of acceptance)  Improve communication materials for students/stakeholders  Ensure completeness of study permit applications and documentation  Establish codes of conduct for recruitment of international students  Consider pooling of resources to undertake continuous marketing, establish year-round presence, and develop contacts in key source countries  CIC will be developing public documents on “best-practices” based on input received from provinces and territories and stakeholders (including CAPS-I)