Canada breaks records by welcoming 550,000 students in 2022!

Surya Rathee
[Published 18 Feb, 2023 | 06:06 AM]
About Author - 4 min read
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“The Great White North is now home to over 807,750 international students.”

According to a report from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada welcomed a record number of 551,405 international students from over 184 countries in 2022. As of December 31st, 2022, there are 807,750 international students holding valid study permits.

The number of students that apply for Canada Study Visa has significantly increased over the past years.

A total of 444,260 new study permits were issued in 2021, up from 400,600 in 2019 - with 2020 seeing a decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 107,145 more study permits went into force in 2022 than they did in 2021.

As a result, there are also significantly more students in Canada. There were 637,860 international students studying in Canada in 2019. Due to pandemic restrictions, this number fell in 2020 - rebounding in 2021 to reach a total of 617,315 international students in the country. By the end of 2022, Canada had approximately 170,000 more international students than it did in 2019 thanks to a relative return to normalcy last year.

Top source countries of international students entering Canada in 2022

The top 10 source countries of new international students entering Canada in 2022 were:

1. India - 226,450 students
2. China - 52,165 students
3. Philippines - 23,380 students
4. France - 16,725 students
5. Nigeria - 16,195 students
6. Iran - 13,525 students
7. Republic of Korea - 11,535 students
8. Japan - 10,955 students
9. Mexico - 10,405 students
10. Brazil - 10,405 students

Top source countries of international students already in Canada in 2022

Furthermore, the top 10 sources of international students already on a study permit in Canada as of December 31, 2022, were:

1. India - 319,130 students
2. People’s Republic of China - 100,075 students
3. Philippines - 32,455 students
4. France - 27,135 students
5. Nigeria - 21,660 students
6. Iran - 21,115 students
7. Republic of Korea - 16,505 students
8. Vietnam - 16,140 students
9. Mexico - 14,930 students
10. United States - 14,485 students

Top provinces where international students attended DLI in 2022

In 2022, international students attended Designated Learning Institutes (DLIs) in the following provinces:

1. Ontario - 411,000 students
2. British Columbia - 164,000 students
3. Quebec - 93,000 students
4. Alberta - 43,000 students
5. Manitoba - 22,000 students
6. Nova Scotia - 20,850 students
7. Saskatchewan - 13,135 students
8. New Brunswick - 11,140 students
9. Newfoundland and Labrador - 6,175 students
10. Prince Edward Island - 4,485 students

Canada remains a popular destination for international students

There are numerous reasons why Canada remains a top study-abroad destination for international students from across the world.

• Globally-Renowned Degrees - Nearly 28 of the world's top 1,000 universities are located in Canada. A degree from a Canadian educational institute is seen as a mark of trust and quality.
• Varied Study Programs and Courses - Canadian universities and colleges offer several courses that assist students in obtaining positions in top companies.
• Cultural Diverse Environment - over 8 million immigrants study, work, and live in Canada – over 23% of the total population. The Great White North is home to immigrants from over 170 countries.
• Quality of Life - A combination of growing industries, extensive public services, high salaries, low cost of living, and multicultural society.
• Easy Study Visa process - The process to apply for Canada Study Visa is relatively easier than in any other popular countries such as Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
• Easy Immigration and PR - One of the main reasons Canada is a popular study-abroad destination is that it is easier to immigrate and apply for Canada PR after your study program.
• Affordable Cost of Living - Students can expect to spend between CAD$ 19,000 – CAD$ 28,800 on living expenses per year - way lower as compared to other study-abroad destinations.
• High-tech Country - Canada is a leader in computer and IT, with a reputation for excellence in fields such as telecommunications, animation, transportation, engineering, and much more!
• Job Opportunities - The Canadian government allows international students enrolled in a Canadian university/program to work both on and off-campus – to work an unlimited number of hours.

IRCC has forecasted that from 2022-2023, the number of study permit holders will rise to approximately 753,000 international students. Considering the quick process and minimal requirements to apply for Canada Study Visa – now is the best time to immigrate to Canada as a student.