http://www.higher-edge.com/docs/nsf-V07-No16.pdf
Higher-Edge: Not-so-Foreign Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 16

New work regulations for foreign students announced by Canada

April 23, 2008

The federal department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced new rules for international students who wish to stay on in Canada and work after graduation (April 21, 2008, CIC announcement released in Vancouver, B.C.). According to the new regulations effective immediately, international students who have graduated with degrees and diplomas can obtain a work permit 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 both the location of the city of studies and employment.

No doubt the announcement is fueled by Canada's miniscule population growth, need for a more skilled workforce, and increased global competition for the best, brightest and most capable students. Still new immigration regulations are required to smooth the transition to Permanent Residency from within Canada while on the new work permits. As well, current regulations which assess the merits of a student visa application continue to maintain the applicant must only be in Canada on temporary status. The new work regulations heighten the tension in the mixed message Canada gives international students (you can apply, but must leave after you finish. However, when you arrive, you can stay !)

Canada lags far behind key competition from the U.K. and Australia in terms of marketing and awareness. Of course the U.S.A. is still a much bigger draw (and will grow), and even relatively new entrants such as Ireland, New Zealand, France and Germany often outperform Canadian recruiting in many markets.

"The new work provisos are a big boost," says Mr. Mel Broitman, Higher-Edge Managing Director in Asia. "The question now is whether the institutions, particularly Canadian universities, can recruit effectively even with this new advantage."