- Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced it is actively recruiting top graduate students and researchers from around the world
- Graduate students made up 21% of new study permits issued from January to June 2026, nearly double the 12% share recorded in the same period in 2025
- Canada offers simplified processing and faster application timelines for doctoral and master's degree students seeking to study there
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Canada's immigration authority has launched a push to attract international graduate students, citing the country's academic standing and post-study work opportunities as key selling points for prospective applicants.
Source: Facebook
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made the announcement on Thursday, October 15, through its official account on X, positioning the country as a top destination for master's and doctoral researchers worldwide.
Why graduate applications are rising
The appeal appears to be gaining traction.
Graduate students accounted for 21% of all new study permits issued between January and June 2026, up sharply from 12% during the same period in 2025.
IRCC attributed part of this growth to a simplified application process designed specifically for postgraduate-level programmes.
"We're looking to attract the world's best and brightest researchers and graduate students! Canada is home to world-class institutions and offers clear pathways for international students to pursue master's and doctoral degrees," IRCC stated in its announcement.
Doctoral applicants stand to benefit from a notably faster processing timeline, with applications reviewed within two weeks under the current system.
Why study in Canada?
Canada points to several measures of its academic credibility when making the case to prospective students.
The country ranks sixth globally on the list of Highly Cited Researcher award winners, and its education system places in the top 10 of the Global Employability Rankings. Four Canadian universities currently rank among the top 100 institutions worldwide.
Beyond academics, IRCC highlighted post-graduation employment as a central draw.
International students who complete a graduate degree in Canada are eligible to pursue work opportunities in the country, providing a potential pathway that extends beyond their studies.
For eligible graduate students, the authority outlined three primary benefits: simplified application processing, a fast two-week turnaround for doctoral candidates, and access to Canadian work opportunities after completing their programme.
How many PR invitations did Canada issue?
In related news, we also highlighted facts about Canada’s latest Express Entry draw, which issued 2,500 permanent residence invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates.
The lowest-ranked invitee had a Comprehensive Ranking System score of 519.
The draw comes as Canada expects to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026, creating potential opportunities for foreign job seekers. However, competition for work permits remains high.
Source: TUKO.co.ke