International Students: Navigating the Immigration Maze

2014 provisions of Immigration law in Canada changed the philosophy behind the immigration law from a “first-come first served system” to a “human skills, talent based system.” With this change, educational institution’s role in implementing this immigration concept became more crucial than ever before. The need to prepare high & semi-skilled workers, both domestic and international, was clear.

Academic and immigration advising goes hand in hand in the case of international students. Students have to balance between two jurisdictions: education (provincial) and immigration (federal) in order to maintain their status as a student in Canada. Immigration advice affects the student as well as accompanying family members.

This event has been approved by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) for 2.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.

Target audience: Educators, Immigration Consultants, Education Agents, Lawyers, Paralegals, etc.

Attendees will come away from this session with the following:

International student advisor’s in-depth understanding of immigration laws and regulations and ability to interpret it in fast changing environment helps students to overcome: language, settlement, academic, and cultural challenges. International students are required to meet four fold eligibility criteria from the application for initial study permit to maintaining eligibility until graduation. We will dive into the topics of:

• Study permit eligibility & conditions
• On/off campus work authorization
• Coop work permits
• Post-graduate work permit eligibility
• Federal and provincial level eligibility to immigration programs
• Students transitioning to permanent resident status

Session will discuss challenges and opportunities in navigating students though those mentioned steps. Successful navigation will lead many international students to their ultimate goal to immigrate Canada and become Permanent Residents.

Presenters

Jasmin Sajjan, RCIC (Langara) – Jasmin is an International Student Coordinator (ISC) at Langara College and a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Jasmin manages a vast portfolio of 1,700 international students at Langara College and works to build community relationships between faculty, staff, and students while navigating immigration regulations. 

Shanda Williams, RCIC (UBC) – Shanda is an International Student Advisor (ISA) and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). In 2003, she immigrated to Canada as an international student and since 2011 has been working in the field of international education at different institutions.

Makhbuba Ergasheva, RCIC (VIU) – Makhbuba is an International Student Advisor at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Makhbuba is former UN employee at international level, not for profit manager. Since immigrating to Canada in 2005, she continued her career in not for profit as well as in education sectors.

Jean Lomas, RCIC (SFU) – Jean is an International Student Advisor (ISA) and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She began her international education career in 2008 and since then has provided student advising as well as developing online immigration resources for various post-secondary institutions.

Jing Yao, RISIA (Douglas) – Jing is an International Student Advisor and a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor at Douglas College. Jing came to Canada in 2014 and went through the transition from an international student to a permanent resident. In her daily job, she not only provides case specific advising to international students but also organizes workshops and orientations in each semester.

Register now

Register for this workshop by October 8, 2018. Space is limited!

Cancellation Policy

No refunds of event registration fees paid will be granted at any time. However, name changes or registration transfers are allowed provided that they are submitted in writing to events@bccie.bc.ca on or before October 5, 2018.