International students largely remain in the province where they received their first study permit

A recent analysis of Canadian international students suggests that most who receive a study permit in a certain province tend to remain in that province for their next period of study or work.

Quebec saw the most international student retention (around 85%), while Manitoba and Alberta also saw retention rates north of 80%. Five provinces experienced retention rates between 70% and 80% (British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan). Finally, Canada’s remaining two provinces (Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick) and Canada’s three territories all retained between 60% and 70% of their international students one year later.

In other words, most former international students still employed in Canada three years later stayed in their initial province of study. In fact, in nine of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories — excluding the Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick — over 50% of international students stayed in-province or in-territory.

Quebec and Alberta, the provinces that experienced two of the three highest one-year retention rates, saw the highest retention rates after three years as well.

Furthermore, dedicating a larger proportion of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) slots to international students and improving the support provided through settlement services to these foreign nationals could further entice them to remain in the provinces where they come to further their education.

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