How will Canada’s Recent Federal Elections Affect Study Abroad Students?
Canadians hit the polls after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a dissolution of parliament for a snap election. The request was made in the hope of gaining a majority government after winning only a minority in the last 2019 vote.
Although the next scheduled election was not until 2023, Trudeau was hoping to capitalize on positive attitudes toward his government’s handling of the pandemic following the country’s high vaccination rates and secure a majority government. However Trudeau and his Liberal Party failed again to secure a majority government.
The Liberals will remain in power, and their immigration policies will continue to be implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other federal departments. The process of the new government establishing itself will take us into the winter holidays which means it likely won’t be until January that the new cabinet finds its footing and begins to put its stamp on immigration policy. As the Liberals have won again, we can expect similar immigration policies as those they have pursued since 2015. The Conservatives also expressed strong support for immigration and oversaw higher immigration levels and the launch of Express Entry when they were last in power.
The Constitution outlines immigration as an area of shared federal-provincial jurisdiction, with the federal government having the final say. While provinces and territories across Canada are very active in recruiting and settling newcomers, it’s the federal government that has control over the nation’s immigration policies. IRCC determines national immigration levels as well as allocations for each province, processing times, and is the largest funder by far of the settlement and integration services offered across the country.
It’s important to note that the Liberals are the current governing party and Marco Mendicino is the federal Immigration Minister. As the Liberals have won a minority, it’s very likely that Mendicino will remain the immigration minister, and priorities contained in his existing mandate letters will be rolled over into the new mandate.
Following the appointment of the Immigration Minister and mandate letter for IRCC, the next big immigration policy event will be the tabling of the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan. It outlines the number of immigrants that IRCC will seek to welcome each year and which categories it will seek to welcome newcomers under, and the allocation of newcomers it’s providing to each province and territory. Following this past September’s election, we should expect the new levels plan by March 2022, however, the announcement itself should simply be a continuation of ongoing efforts to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants to Canada each year.
Gradually over 2022, we should then see the new cabinet hit its stride and introduce new immigration policies and programs. Regardless of the outcome of September 20, we should expect IRCC and the provinces and territories to continue to invite new immigrants. This new Liberal cabinet will shape Canada’s immigration system for potentially the next four years. If past years are an indicator, then Canada will be home to many new immigrants and study abroad students for years to come.
Fulfil your dreams of studying in Canada and the US with Aplicar!
Aplicar connects students and recruitment partners to the best educational opportunities across Canada. It’s a one-stop solution to ease students’ journey towards studying in Canada.
Canada: Processing Times For Study Permit’s Post-Pandemic
Canada is quickly recovering the study permit processing times that got largely delay due to Covid. For the last year and a half, international students have had a more difficult time processing their study applications due to closed biometric and passport offices. Presently, the processing times for student permits seem to be dropping with lesser processing delays. Though different provinces have different timelines for opening up, the rate of study permit processing has definitely sped up.
A study permit is a document issued to foreign students who want to study at any Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada and it is imperative for a student to be allowed to enter the country.
According to estimates, Canada was expecting to welcome around 300,000 international students by September 2021. The government of Canada has processed 128,000 study permit applications during the current year and another 140,000 study permits are being processed. The government has clearly shown an interest in having an increasing number of international students come to Canada. They are working to prepare airport and other staff to deal with the hundreds of thousands of students due to arrive in Canada to study.
The majority of Visa Application Centres have opened up and the rest are also in the process of opening up. This would help smooth the processing of applications even further. Though the processing time for study permits varies, at present it’s estimated to be shorter than during pre-pandemic times. The IRCC has said that their current average time for processing a complete study permit application is 55 days.
Students who were pursuing short term programs of less than six months duration can also now choose to take the study permit application route for Canada. Even students who have not been vaccinated have been allowed to travel to Canada provided they comply with existing quarantine protocols. After they complete their mandatory isolation period, they will also receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost.
It’s worth noting that the processing times have jumped for 2019 and 2020, as they were greatly disrupted due to COVID-19. However, current times are reverting back to pre-pandemic levels. In general, processing times for applications are dependent on a variety of factors. It could depend on the type of application submitted, whether the application is complete in all respects, the expected time for processing the application, the ease of verification of information and the time taken by the applicant to respond to requests or concerns.
To further ensure the smooth processing of applications, make sure the applications are complete in all respects before you submit them. Even complete applications need to go through the process of follow-up with students, securing the documentation and reviewing it before delivering the decision. An incomplete application only adds more time to the process. First and foremost, you need to have your acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI) ready before you apply for a study permit. The time required for each application is also dependent on the nationality of students.
On an average students from 80 different countries had average processing times of under 50 days. On the other hand, even though Indian, South Korean and Mexican students make up roughly 50% of all study permit applications, their decision waiting times were roughly 20 days in 2019. During the pandemic in 2020, this time saw an average increase to about a hundred days. That was in part due to inability to secure necessary documentation and biometrics. By 2021, these times have gradually been returning to the pre-pandemic averages.
Depending on your nationality, you might need to get biometrics done for your study Visa. Not all countries are on the list of nations whose citizens are required to get these biometrics. It is important to start the application process sooner if biometrics are required. Some candidates may also be required to show up for an in-person interview, varying from case to case.
The Government‘s dedicated efforts to get students back on campus have been instrumental in lowering study permit processing times. At Aplicar, we help students lower their study permit processing times by updating them regarding the necessary documents, informing them about current processing times and informing them of any missing or additional documents required. Stay on top of your application and get the latest from us!
Fulfil your dreams of studying in Canada and the US with Aplicar!
Aplicar connects students and recruitment partners to the best educational opportunities across Canada. It’s a one-stop solution to ease students’ journey towards studying in Canada.
According to Deloitte Access Economics, the proportion of jobs requiring creative skills is set to rise to 63% by 2030. Creativity, diversity, and cultural intelligence are skills that are increasingly being absorbed into different streams. Canada and the USA, with their world-class education, are at the helm of delivering excellent programs that are future-ready. Learn more about the top universities offering creative programs.a
Florida International University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art: To establish a solid foundation for a career in the arts, this program covers studio art, encompassing technical and formal concerns, experimental and conceptual development, and also enabling students to choose a focus area or explore other academic fields.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art: If you’re looking to enhance and evolve your artistic expression, this program helps you define your point of view, your ideas and brings professional quality to your expression.
Department of Journalism + Media: In today’s ever-changing media landscape, this program helps you stay ahead of things. You can choose to specialize in digital journalism, digital broadcasting, digital and interactive media or digital TV and multimedia production. This modern curriculum offers the perfect balance of skill training, theory and real-world applications.
Bachelor of Music Degree Programs: You can choose from across a range of specializations from Composition, Instrumental Performance, Guitar Studio, Instrumental Performance, Strings Studio, Instrumental Performance, Wind & Percussion Studios, Jazz Performance, Music Business, Music Education, Music Technology, Organ Performance, Piano Performance, and Vocal Performance. An intensive degree, it readies you for a career in music. This program also requires all students to submit proof of performance ability through an ensemble (vocal or instrumental).
BFA Acting: A pre-professional selective degree, helps students to prepare for a professional theatre career.
BA Theatre: A versatile and comprehensive liberal arts degree, it encompasses all aspects of theatre at a basic level. It strikes the perfect balance between academic, technical, and performance-based programs.
Pittsburg State University
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): if you’re looking for a career in the studio, applied arts, and art education, this degree is for you. Students can choose one of the four emphasis areas: 2D studio art, 3D studio art, illustration, and visual storytelling, and art education. The curriculum spans foundation, media and technique, and application. Students are also introduced to the business aspect of being artists. The program also offers opportunities for internships in museum studies and gallery practice or studio and creative industry.
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design: This program takes a multidisciplinary approach to design that includes interior design, construction, and graphic design programs. It develops in students a creative, problem-solving mindset revolving around materials and processes. It develops a creative, problem-solving mindset towards materials and processes, promoting sustainability, design standards, developing global awareness and diversity.
Bachelor of Music: A degree for professional musicians in the making, it is a preparatory study to pursue masters level and beyond. Whether you are seeking to teach, or perform professionally, you can choose between instrumental performance and vocal performance as the focus of the program.
York University
BA Creative Writing: Whatever form of writing you are looking to make a career out of – novels, short stories, place, interactive stories or any other – this program will help you polish your writing skills with exposure to different forms and styles of writing.
BA Art History: This one-of-a-kind program combines studio production, art history, and curatorial practice. It enables students to be all-around professionals who are well versed in the creation, exhibition, and critical understanding. With hands-on access to original artworks, students get to explore practical applications.
BFA (Film Production): Hone your technical skills and artistic perspective with this program that encompasses all aspects of the film as storytelling, social engagement, and self-expression. After the foundation programs in production and screenwriting, you can choose to specialize in programs from cinematography, editing, sound, directing, and production management and design.
BFA in Integrative Arts: The program offers opportunities for collaboration and creativity to explore new directions in art, creative industries, and social justice work.
BFA in Media Arts: For hands-on experience in media making and opportunities to engage in the same, this program helps students explore and create new media content. This covers digital publications, social media for community engagement, transmedia across film and game platforms, 3D animation, virtual reality, games, interactive documentary and more. The program also offers a capstone project and media industry placement in the final year.
BA, BFA (Music): The flexible curriculum of this program allows for specializations in jazz, gospel, western classical, world, and contemporary music. Students develop their performance, composition, and improvisation skills through study and community practice.
BFA in Screenwriting: As Canada is the only undergraduate screenwriting degree program, the program teaches students the art of video storytelling suitable for the multi-platform universe of today that spans films to TV to new media.
BA, BFA (Theatre): After the foundation year, students can choose to specialize in production and design, acting or performance creation and research. Its immersive experience offers exposure to theatre akin to the professional world.
BFA in Visual Art: Before you choose a specialization, explore everything from painting, sculpture, and print media to drawing, photography, and interdisciplinary art. The program offers intensive studio training and the benefit of being mentored by faculty with active professional practices.
University of Manitoba
Fine Arts Studio Program (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Diploma in Art): At the heart of this program is contemporary research in creative practices in art, design, and art history. Students are encouraged to engage in group critiques, experiential learning and technical demonstrations, exhibition tours, artists’ lectures, field trips, and much more.
Art History (BFA): Arm yourself with critical research skills in art history, with a focus on cultural comparisons, aesthetics, theory, criticism, and research methodologies with this program.
Bachelor of Arts, Theatre: A multifaceted program, it offers creative and intellectual opportunities with hands-on experience in all aspects of play creation. Students get to create and interpret theatre through the relationship between the academic program and the Black Hole Theatre Company with a balance in theoretical, critical, and practical methods.
Bachelor of Arts, English: Covering literature from the material period to contemporary times, this program uses theoretical and critical methods to introduce students to a wide variety of literary genres and develop their creative and interpretative capabilities.
Jazz Studies (BJazz): With collaboration with leading musicians in the jazz community, students are exposed to a creative and collaborative environment that shapes them.
Music (BMus): For a professional career in arts, the program offers a wide range of program choices rooted in essential training.
Georgian University
Honors Bachelor of Interior Design Degree program: If you are looking for a career as an interior designer, the program helps students in understanding interior design standards and practices. It teaches students space planning in management, design process, research methodologies, socially responsible design, building systems, technological applications, contract documentation, and interior design presentation. It meets the current standards of delivery and content for the Council for Interior Design accreditation (CIDA).
Fulfil your dreams of studying in Canada and the US with Aplicar!
Aplicar connects students and recruitment partners to the best educational opportunities across Canada. It’s a one-stop solution to ease students’ journey towards studying in Canada.
