Why International Students Struggle to Find Jobs Abroad

Vancouver, Canada — Every year, thousands of international students graduate from Canadian universities with high hopes of beginning their careers abroad. Yet, despite their strong academic records and English proficiency, many find it increasingly difficult to secure meaningful employment after graduation—a challenge that has grown more severe in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arianna Distefano, a 22-year-old MA Journalism student who has been living in London for over four years, was declined for the role of an ice-cream vendor: “I am Italian, I know ice cream, and I can serve it too” (Sankala, 2024).

According to Statistics Canada (2023), only about 40% of international graduates find full-time work within the first year—a sharp decline compared to pre-pandemic levels and much lower than their domestic peers. The issue lies not only in job availability but also in the growing barriers that international graduates face when entering an increasingly competitive and uncertain labour market.

Work Permit and Immigration Issues

One of the main barriers is the complexity of post-graduation work permits. While Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), its limited duration can discourage some employers from hiring. Employers often prefer candidates who have permanent residency because they worry about visa renewals and sponsorship costs. This concern means that even qualified candidates might be overlooked for long-term positions.

Lack of Canadian Experience

Many international students also struggle with the “Canadian experience” requirement. Employers often expect familiarity with workplace culture, communication norms, and local references.  To overcome this barrier, many individuals ended up taking minimum-wage jobs even though they possessed higher qualifications and work experience from their home countries (Rana, 2023).

“On Nov. 4, the government of Ontario introduced Bill 149, the Working for Workers Four Act, 2023 — legislation that would make it illegal for businesses to list “Canadian experience” as a requirement in job listings” (Rana, para.9, 2023). But even with legal protections provided by the government, the prejudices and stereotypes in people’s minds are not easily changed.  According to Sweta Regmi, “I still believe that it’s a mindset issue. Government can ban whatever they want to, but hiring teams would have biases internally, deeply rooted in the system” (Rana, para.29, 2023).

Language and Communication Barriers

Language skills are often seen as a basic requirement for employment, but the challenge for international students goes far beyond simple fluency.

• Professional Language

Academic language is different from workplace language. International students may understand textbook English but can still struggle with industry-specific jargon.

• Accent and Bias

Employers sometimes hold conscious or unconscious biases against accents, assuming that speakers with accents may be harder to understand or less “professional” (2025). So even minor mispronunciations can affect first impressions during interviews or networking events.

• Interview Anxiety

Interviews are often timed, high-pressure situations requiring quick responses. Language processing under stress can be harder for non-native speakers, leading to hesitation or overlong explanations.

Even as Canada continues to update its immigration-friendly legislation, the employment opportunities for international students after graduation remain challenging and uncertain. If these issues are not effectively addressed, highly qualified international students may be forced to accept low-paying or non-professional jobs, or even choose to leave Canada. This not only impacts their career development but also prevents Canadian society from fully utilizing the potential of these young talents.

References

Immigration, R. and C. C. (2025, July 9). Government of Canada. About the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) – Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html

Rana, U. (2023, November 28). Why lack of “Canadian experience” is a barrier for immigrants in the job market – national. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10119716/immigration-canada-work-experience/

Recap: Accents in the Workplace. Social Mobility Commission. (2025, April 28). https://socialmobility.independent-commission.uk/resources/recap-accents-in-the-workplace/#:~:text=Accent%20bias%20is%20everywhere&text=We%20all%20rely%20on%20shortcuts,about%20someone’s%20competence%20and%20skills.

Sankala, I. (2024, June 5). The misadventures of international students seeking work. Artefact. https://www.artefactmagazine.com/2024/05/29/the-misadventures-of-international-students-seeking-work/