Immigration Gridlock: Assessing Whether Canada’s Express Entry is an Effective Immigration System for International Students’ Transition into Permanent Residency?

Abstract

This research critically analyzes the introduction of the Express Entry system in Canada, requiring foreign nationals to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait for an invitation before being allowed to apply for permanent residence. Drawing on available empirical data, I argue that this reform jeopardized international students’ chance to become permanent residents. Despite recent modifications that intended to improve their situation, the pathways to permanent residence of international students are still restricted. Particularly, international PhD students are negatively impacted as the previously existing PhD stream under the Federal Skilled Worker Program covertly disappeared from the current regime. This research concludes with suggestions on how to further modify the current immigration system to facilitate international students’ transitions into Canada.