Toronto and Vancouver have always been one of the top most choices for international students in Canada. But, a recent report by a Quebec-based non-profit think tank, says that Quebec’s temporary resident population included “1,17,745 foreign students, most of whom have the right to work here, and seek asylum” in 2023.

Quebec had 1,67,435 temporary work permit holders in 2023, that is said to be a significant increase from previous years. International Mobility Program (IMP), and Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are the main reasons behind the growth of the temporary work permit holders.

According to this report, published by the Institut du Quebec (IDQ), the province saw an increase of 46% in the number of temporary workers.
The report says, that there were 43770 temporary workers in 2015 therefore as per the current number, 122556 an increase of 280% is recorded.

To give a boost the Government of Canada has introduced the new post graduation work permit program in which students who have
completed the masters program, of at least 2 years would qualify for the post graduation work permit program (PGWP) for 3 years.
However students enrolled in private colleges under the curriculum license program will not be eligible for the post graduation work permit program.

Quebec encourages international students to come study and secure a happy settlement in the province.
Quebec also provides financial assistance for international students

The Merit Scholarship program for international students is offered at the university level, in technical training at the college level and in vocational training.
The best international candidates are attracted into programs with good job and research prospects. The Merit Scholarship program allows students to benefit from:

• a scholarship
• an exemption from the differential tuition fees paid by international students health insurance and hospitalization coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
• For doctoral research programs: The scholarship is $25 000 per year. The maximum duration for this scholarship is three years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. In the case of an extension, a monthly allowance of $1 000 is provided.
• For post-doctoral fellows: The scholarship is $35 000 for one year and is non-renewable.
• For short-term research stays or professional development: The scholarship is $3 000 per month, for a period of up to four months.

There are exemptions from differential tuition fees under international agreements and on the basis of immigration status.
There is also exemption from differential tuition fees depending on the program of studies and the region.

The tuition fee and the cost of living is the lowest in whole of North America. Quebec provides an exceptional standard of education that is accessible to students from a wide range of backgrounds. Tuition fees and living expenses are generally lower compared to other popular study destinations, making Quebec a cost-effective option for international students who seek high-quality education without excessive financial burden.
Montreal in particular has a reputation for being a relatively affordable city when compared to other major cities in Canada. As of February 2023, the average cost to rent a one-bedroom is around $1,625 compared to Toronto at $1,850 or Vancouver at $2,300.

High-Quality Education:
Quebec is home to several world-class universities and colleges, including the University of Montreal, McGill University, and Concordia University, Laval University. Montreal College of Information Technology.
Each of these universities accepts PTE scores, so PTE can be a key step in the student’s journey to studying in Quebec.
These institutions offer a broad range of programs in fields such as engineering, medicine, and business, and their high standards of education
are recognized internationally.

Another important factor to note is that Quebec has a program called Quebec Experience Program which can help some international students in Quebec fast-track their way to permanent residency.

Career Opportunities:
Quebec is a hub for various industries, including technology, finance, and healthcare, and provides international students with access to a broad range of career opportunities after graduation.