Top 10 Source Countries of International Students to Canada

Top 10 Source Countries of International Students to Canada

New data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that Canada broke a record by welcoming over 550,000 new international students in 2022. Moreover, as of December 31st, 2022, there were 807,750 international students holding valid study permits. However, where do all these international students come from?

Parsai Immigration compiled the data of the top source countries of international students entering, living and studying in Canada.

Source countries of new international students entering Canada: 2022

India, China, and the Philippines were the top three sources of international students coming to Canada in 2022. Indian students now account for slightly more than half of the total number of international students who entered Canada last year.

CountryNumber of Students
Coming in 2022
India226,450
People’s Republic of China52,165
Philippines23,380
France16,725
Nigeria16,195
Iran13,525
Republic of Korea11,535
Japan10,955
Mexico10,405
Brazil10,405

<<These international students can get a study permit within 20 calendar days>>

Source countries of international students already living and studying in Canada: December 31st, 2022

There were 319,130 international students from India already living and studying in Canada as of December 2022. This number is three times larger than the second leading source nation, China.

CountryNumber of students already
living and studying in Canada
India319,130
People’s Republic of China100,075
Philippines32,455
France27,135
Nigeria21,660
Iran21,115
Republic of Korea16,505
Vietnam16,140
Mexico14,930
United States of America14,485

<<Know the Best Cities For International Students in Canada>>

International students (within Canada) attending Designated Learning Institutions in 2022

Ontario is the province that accommodates the largest number of international students in Canada. In the context of the other provinces, its number surpasses even second-place British Columbia by nearly 250,000.

In total, 377,785 international students were attending DLIs in the rest of the Canadian provinces.

ProvinceNumber of Students
Ontario411,000
British Columbia164,000
Quebec93,000
Alberta43,000
Manitoba22,000
Nova Scotia20,850
Saskatchewan13,135
New Brunswick11,140
Newfoundland and Labrador6,175
Prince Edward Island4,485

<<International students with a job offer: Apply to work and live in Ontario>>

Recent measures for International Students

  • International students will be allowed work off-Campus over 20 hours

From November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023, international students who are in Canada and have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will be allowed to work over 20 hours per week off-campus while class is in session. There is no limit on the maximum number of hours that a student can work. However, the Minister emphasized that study permit holders are still expected to balance their study and work commitments. More Info.

  • IRCC creates a transition period for distance learning

After consultation with provinces/territories and education stakeholders, IRCC decided to extend its distance learning measures. International students can now pursue their studies online from outside Canada while remaining eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), until August 31, 2023. “But they are being reduced in scope,” said the institution. More Info.

International students with expiring post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) between September 20th, 2021 and December 31, 2022, can now apply for an additional open work permit of 18 months. Also, those currently in Canada will have the ability to work in the interim period while they wait for their permits. More info.

  • International Students in private Quebec colleges won’t be eligible for PGWP

Graduates of unsubsidized private learning institutions in Quebec won’t be able to access the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) starting September 1, 2023. According to the federal government, the measure is intended to protect the integrity of the international student program in Quebec. Moreover, the measure aligns the PGWP eligibility rules for Quebec with those in effect in other provinces. More Info.

assessment form

Help for International graduates!

For Post Graduate Work Permits or other international student or graduate options, fill out the following form. Alternatively, please book a consultation session. If you are not an international student or graduate in Canada, you could fill out our assessment form for other immigration options in Canada.

    Do you hold a valid study permit?

    Do you hold a valid work permit?

    How old are you? (required)

    Have you taken an English or French test?

    How knowledgeable are you in English or French languages (pick the language that you are more fluent)

    What is the highest level of studies you have completed outside Canada?

    Which level of studies have you completed inside Canada?

    Do you have accompanying family members (spouse, common-law partner, or dependant children)?

    Are you facing inadmissibility problems or a removal order?

    What do you expect to achieve?

    Additional information (optional but helpful)

    Please share more information to help us better assess you:

    Are you currently inside Canada?

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    Fill our Free Canada Immigration Assessment Form in your language!

    Disclaimer:
    This article provides information of a general nature only. Considering the fluid nature of the immigration world, it may no longer be current. Of course, the item does not give legal advice. Therefore, do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. Consequently, no one could hold us accountable for the content of these articles. Of course, if you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. Alternatively, if you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment.

    The characters and places in the articles:
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    Andrea Neira