@article{ART003350997},
author={DAEIK KIM},
title={Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience},
journal={Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies},
issn={2951-0619},
year={2026},
volume={32},
number={1},
pages={27-40}
TY - JOUR
AU - DAEIK KIM
TI - Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience
JO - Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 32
IS - 1
PB - Korea Association For Canadian Studies
SP - 27
EP - 40
SN - 2951-0619
AB - For half a century, international students and temporary workers in Canada have transitioned from a concern of foreign aid to a pillar of economic survival. Utilizing fifty years of policy documentation (Statistics Canada, IRCC reports, and Parliamentary Budget Officer report) and current 2024–2025 immigration reports, this research provides a longitudinal description of Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident (NPR) regime, supported by robust descriptive and statistical evidence. It identifies four distinct eras: the Visitor era (1970–1985); Institutional Marketization (1985–2001); the Two-Step Immigration era (2001–2014); and the current Stabilization Phase (2025–2027). A South Korean case study reveals a demographic providing a critical counter-narrative; unlike other source nations, this cohort exhibits exceptional gender parity and high human capital. However, South Korean NPRs face systemic challenges, including linguistic racism, financial precarity, and the psychological strain of permanent temporariness. This paper argues that while international students fueled post-pandemic recovery, the future will be defined by quality over quantity. As the state pivots toward a 5% NPR population target by 2027, institutions must move beyond revenue extraction to prioritize the holistic integration of highly skilled cohorts like the South Korean diaspora.
KW - Non-Permanent Residents (NPR);South Korean Diaspora;International Education;Canadian Immigration Policy;Two-Step Immigration;Political Economy
DO -
UR -
ER -
DAEIK KIM. (2026). Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, 32(1), 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. 2026, "Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience", Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, vol.32, no.1 pp.27-40.
DAEIK KIM "Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 32.1 pp.27-40 (2026) : 27.
DAEIK KIM. Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience. 2026; 32(1), 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. "Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 32, no.1 (2026) : 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies, 32(1), 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience. Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies. 2026; 32(1) 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience. 2026; 32(1), 27-40.
DAEIK KIM. "Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Evolution (1970–2027): A Critical Analysis of the South Korean Student and Worker Experience" Asia-Pacific Journal of Canadian Studies 32, no.1 (2026) : 27-40.
