Many international students in Canada, including from Punjab, have been opting for short-term courses (of around five to six months) recently for several reasons. For some, it offers an opportunity to boost their chances of acquiring a Permanent Residency (PR) in the country, according to a report published in The Indian Express.
What are these courses, their possible benefits and why have some educational consultants advised caution? We explain.
Who are the students taking up these courses?
Several categories of students have signed up. Some may be on temporary Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) and want to strengthen their chances of securing Permanent Residency (PR).
"Many students who have completed their studies and are on a PGWP have enrolled in short-term courses designed for skill enhancement. These courses are primarily in high-demand fields like the health sector, early childcare, and technical fields. Such courses can help students secure jobs in these sectors and become eligible for the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP)," said Punjab-based study abroad consultant Gurdeep Singh. Since around the past year, students have been allowed to join short courses on a PGWP, he added.
The PNP is meant for workers with the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province and who want to become permanent residents of Canada. Holding a PR offers several of the social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including healthcare coverage. One can then work or study anywhere in Canada and further apply for citizenship.
Singh added, "One of my students in British Columbia while on PGWP completed a course in the healthcare sector, secured a job, and later strengthened her case for PR by applying through PNP. The PNP has 600 points when one applies for PR. Additionally, there are specific field-targeted draws for PR, allowing even candidates with low points to become eligible."
Second, of the students admitted to Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), which are provincial governments-approved educational institutions that admit international students, many have deferred their admission. Instead of joining in the September cycle, they have switched to another institution and plan to join them in the next admissions cycle in the summer. This decision is often driven by seeing better course options, location preferences, institutional reputation or other reasons.
However, Canadian immigration policies now require students wishing to change their DLI to apply for a new study permit before beginning their studies at the new institution. This change, announced in November by the official Canadian agency, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has disrupted many students’ plans. Processing a new study permit takes approximately four months, potentially delaying their academic start.
Students may then face a significant gap period, exceeding the permissible 150-day limit for retaining study permits, prompting many to take up short-term courses that do not require new permits and help maintain continuity in their education.
Others enrolled in short-term courses are students who have failed their courses. Study abroad experts note that such students are often given time to clear their exams. If they still cannot pass, they enrol in such courses to demonstrate to their colleges that they are enhancing their skills, which helps secure another chance to clear the exams.
What are the implications of many students taking short-term courses?
When a large number of students enrol in short-term courses primarily to fill study gaps or clear their courses, it is often seen as a misuse of the system. These courses are intended for students with legitimate academic needs. If the trend continues, IRCC may tighten regulations or disallow such practices altogether, as has happened in the past, experts warn.
What alternatives do students have?
Students can consider having a Visitor Record while waiting for their new study permit. This is considered a safe option, but has financial implications and is not ideal for those seeking to maintain academic momentum.
A Visitor Record allows a student to stay in Canada longer but does not guarantee re-entry if they leave the country. To return to Canada, they would need a valid entry document, such as a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
In general, experts recommend that students carefully plan their studies and stick to their DLI choices. They should stay informed about immigration policy updates, consult advisors if needed and focus on their courses to avoid failing them.
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