Community
Navigating Immigration Pathways
Impact
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February 25, 2025
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SDG 4: Quality Education
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Toronto, Canada
Impact
Overview
A discussion on immigration challenges for international students will feature experts on employment, finance, policy, and support networks to promote inclusivity.
Speakers
Sharmin Leena Rahman – An immigration lawyer with over 10 years of experience, Sharmin advises corporate and individual clients at BDO Law LLP. She is an advocate for immigration reform and equity in policy through the Canadian Bar Association.
Maisa Hossain – A Strategy Advisor at PACE Technical, Maisa specializes in IT consulting and financial efficiency. With experience in sales, customer success, and financial strategy, she helps businesses optimize technology solutions.
Sharon Chakkalackal – A Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Sharon focuses on mental health, developmental disabilities, and immigrant health. With a background in public health and social policy, she works to improve access to healthcare and social services for marginalized communities.
Project Team
Sreya Tahsin, Youth Program Manager, BacharLorai
Aftab Ahmed, Trustee and Director of Policy Research, BacharLorai
Apanuba Puhama, Content Lead, BacharLorai
Azkka Noor, Outreach Lead, BacharLorai
SDG Alignment
Target 4.4
Increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
Target 4.3
Ensuring equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
Context
The evolving immigration landscape in Canada, alongside the challenges faced by international students, highlights the urgency of providing accessible and clear resources. As the number of international students continues to grow, with a 29% increase in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching a total of 1,040,985 (ICEF Monitor, 2024), the pressure on these students is growing, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding the immigration process. According to a CBIE survey, 60% of international students worry about the Permanent Residency (PR) process during their studies (CBIE, 2018). This statistic underscores the need for a clear and accessible immigration pathway that can alleviate their concerns.
The Immigration Pathways panel objective directly addresses this issue by providing attendees with a clear, actionable roadmap for navigating the complex immigration system. This aligns with the challenges many students face, especially as policy changes threaten to limit immigration opportunities, particularly for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders (ICEF Monitor, 2024). Attendees will leave the event with an increased confidence in navigating the immigration process, with at least 80% reporting improved understanding, as measured through post-event surveys. This objective addresses the critical gap highlighted in the background, where there is a lack of easily accessible, personalized resources to guide students through their immigration journey.
The Career Coaching panel aligns with the growing concern about employment opportunities for international students, particularly as they face barriers to securing work in Canada. In 2023, policy shifts targeting the housing crisis and lowering immigration rates may further complicate the job market for international students (CBC, 2024). As many international students struggle to balance their academic commitments and their employment prospects, the Career Coaching session will help attendees better understand how to position themselves in the Canadian job market. This session will equip them with strategies for entering the workforce, addressing the growing anxiety surrounding employment in the face of evolving immigration policies. At least 70% of attendees will leave the event feeling more prepared to enter the Canadian job market.
The Financial Planning panel is particularly timely, given the rising financial strain on international students, who are not only dealing with high tuition fees and living expenses but also navigating the complexities of immigration policies that affect their ability to work. This session will provide attendees with budgeting strategies, guidance on managing finances in a new country, and practical steps for planning long-term financial stability. We plan that at least 75% of attendees will report a better understanding of financial management, by discussing specific plans posed by panel experts to apply budgeting strategies to navigate the financial challenges posed by their academic and immigration status.
Together, the panels aim to directly address the unique challenges faced by international students in Canada, offering them tangible resources and guidance to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of immigration, employment, and financial management. By aligning with the pressing statistics and research, these panels will help bridge the gap in support for international students, particularly those from marginalized communities like Bangladeshi international students, and empower them with the tools they need to succeed in their academic, professional, and immigration journeys.