Canada Opens Its Doors Wider to Foreign PHD Students

Photo: Gary Goodyear

With a record number of foreign college and university students already studying in Canada, we want to see even more. The government has made it easier for foreign PHD students to study at Canada’s schools.

Canada’s Minister of State of Science and Technology, Gary Goodyear, made the announcement last week, saying Canada needs more human capital in fields like science, technology, engineering and math.

“Research in these fields contributes greatly to our overall national competitiveness in the global market,” said Goodyear.

Thanks to the changes, international PhD students are now eligible for federal skilled worker visas. The student must have completed at least two years of study toward their PhD to be eligible. They must also stay in good academic standing at a provincially recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada.

“Attracting and retaining immigrants with high levels of skill will help Canada compete in the knowledge-based world economy…With this initiative, we are telling the innovators of tomorrow that Canada is ready to welcome them and their ideas.”

International students already make up about one-quarter of the students enrolled in Canadian PhD programs.

“This initiative will provide Canadian universities with one more competitive edge in attracting and retaining top international talent to pursue their doctoral studies in Canada,” said Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.