The contributions of microloans to economic and social integration of skilled immigrants

Abstract

Increasingly, a number of microloan programs have been established in Canada to provide financial assistance to skilled immigrants. Drawing upon the experiences of 40 skilled immigrants of diverse occupations and countries of origin, this study offers insights into the contributions of microloans to economic and social integration of skilled immigrants in Canada. The analysis of the individual interviews identifies the primary benefits, secondary benefits and long term impact of having access to microloans. The findings bring attention to essential aspects of effective microloan programs for skilled immigrants, including: case management, availability of complementary services, partnership and collaboration among stakeholders, flexibility in usage of loans and concessional lending criteria.