IMPROVEMENTS TO WORK PERMITS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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Government of Canada introduces changes to work permits for
international students, making Canada more attractive for skilled
individuals
Vancouver, April 21, 2008
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
today announced changes to work permits for international students who
graduate from eligible programs at certain Canadian post-secondary
institutions, making it easier to attract foreign students to Canada
Effective immediately, and for the first time, these international
students would be able to obtain an open work permit under the
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of
employment and no requirement for a job offer. In addition, the duration
of the work permit has been extended to three years across the country
Previously, the program only allowed international students to work for
one or two years, depending on location
"The Government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada
and we want to help them succeed," said Minister Finley. "Open and
longer work permits provide international students with more
opportunities for Canadian work experience and skills development. This
will, in turn, help make Canada a destination of choice, and help us
keep international students already studying in Canada
The increased flexibility offered by the expanded program will benefit
graduates and employers alike as the program will help international
students get important work experience while responding to Canada's
labour market needs. Canada will benefit in the long run as the
professional experience gained will help graduates meet the requirements
to stay permanently in Canada
"As we move toward the implementation of the Canadian Experience Class
these changes will help create a pool of individuals who, with work
experience, will find it easier to apply to immigrate to Canada," added
Minister Finley. "Our ability to retain international graduates with
Canadian qualifications, work experience and familiarity with Canadian
society, will help increase our competitiveness and benefit Canada as a
whole
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows students who have
graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to
gain valuable Canadian work experience. Preliminary 2007 data indicate
that 63,673 international students came to Canada that year
representing a 4.6 percent increase over the previous year
Source
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/departm...2008-04-21.asp
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