Between 2010 and 2020, Ontario experienced significant growth in international student enrollment in both the private and public postsecondary sectors. Many graduates secured Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), entered the labour market and transitioned to permanent residency (PR). While Canada’s 2014/19 international education strategy successfully attracted and retained international students, it also prompted concerns around housing and other services. This led to policy shifts enacted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) starting in 2024, including limits to study permits and PGWP eligibility. Understanding the pathways and outcomes of international learners is vital as the federal government evaluates and refines its international education policies.
As part of its consortium on international education, HEQCO partnered with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) to analyze the immigration and labour market outcomes of international students in Ontario who received a study permit between 2010 and 2020. SRDC analyzed microdata from Statistics Canada’s Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform (ELMLP), including the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) and the T1 Family File (T1FF). SRDC tracked international students’ annual tax-filing rate, annual earnings and transition rate to PR by credential. HEQCO produced two reports from SRDC’s analyses, one examining the outcomes of international students who attended public institutions, and another examining the outcomes of those who attended private institutions. Available data for public and private international PSE enrollees differs, so reported outcomes for the two groups are similar but not identical.
The reports show that while Canada’s international education strategy facilitated Ontario enrollment increases and led to PR for many students, disparities in labour market and immigration transitions by institution and credential types underscore the need for strategic policies and planning. Future policy and research can focus on supporting diverse credential pathways to maximize the contributions of international graduates to Ontario’s economy and workforce.
International Students from Ontario’s Publicly Assisted Postsecondary Institutions: Labour Market and Immigration Outcomes
- Between 2010 and 2020, nearly 80% of international students who received a study permit in Ontario filed taxes within a year of graduating, indicating their entry into the labour market. This could reflect broad PGWP eligibility at the time, as well as in-study work experience or co-ops.
- Graduates in health, engineering and math and computer science programs had higher earnings and were among the most likely to transition to PR, while arts graduates had the lowest earnings.
- Certificate and diploma program graduates filed taxes at higher rates than other credential holders and transitioned to PR at high rates. However, a regression analysis showed that bachelor’s and graduate degree holders were more likely to transition to PR.
- Students in arts and humanities had the lowest PR transition rates, highlighting disparities across fields.
Labour Market and Immigration Outcomes of Ontario International Students Outside the Public Postsecondary System
- 21% of Ontario international students who received a study permit between 2010 and 2020 studied outside the public sector; 22% of these students filed taxes one year after their study permit was issued.
- On average, these students earned about $17,500 in their first year after receiving a study permit, and by year five their earnings rose to $40,500. Although many worked and filed taxes after receiving study permits, their PR transition rates after six years (16%) were lower than those from public institutions (42%).
- Private attenders who pursued shorter credentials (such as certificates, diplomas or master’s degrees) attained PR at higher rates than those in other credentials, except for students in very short programs like ESL, trade/vocational and other programs, which had much lower PR rates due to limited PGWP eligibility.
International Students from Ontario’s Publicly Assisted Postsecondary Institutions: Labour Market and Immigration Outcomes was written by Elizabeth Agoe and Khadijat Babatunde, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Labour Market and Immigration Outcomes of Ontario International Students Outside the Public Postsecondary System was written by Khadijat Babatunde and Elizabeth Agoe, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.