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©Gregory James, May 2006
One of my articles in
April focussed on foreign
students studying in Canada.
Among other things, I wrote that students could get work permits that
allowed
them to work on campus but that it was not easy to find campus jobs
because of
the demand. The immigration department has now relaxed this rule. As of
April
27, 2006, foreign students studying in Canada can now get work
permits
that allow them to work off campus
with any employer. They will be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week
during
the school year and full time during study breaks such as the Christmas
and
summer vacation periods.
Foreign
students will have no special
advantage. They will be competing with Canadians for these positions.
However,
this is a significant step forward for students who want to have some
income,
get Canadian work experience, and maybe even get more points on their
applications for permanent residence.
This
step forward is a small indication
that the immigration authorities are recognizing the benefits that such
students potentially bring to Canada
and to Canadian business. Foreign students with Canadian education and
Canadian
work experience will be attractive to Canadian businesses. Attracting
students
to Canada
and then giving them options that will make it easier for them to get
permanent
residence status is a developing trend in Canadian immigration policy.
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