Canadian immigration rules changed

Canadian immigration will be made easier under new rules on obtaining work permits, released yesterday. International students wanting to stay in the country after finishing their education will now no longer need a job to apply for the permit. The plans were unveiled by the Immigration Minister, Diane Finley, and were described as "bold" by some university officials.

The new rules will mean that students with work experience will find it easier to apply for Canadian immigration. The British Columbia Chamber of Commerce backed the plans before they were put in place. Ms Finley said: "The government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada and we want to help them succeed." She added that the move will put the country ahead of "every other country in the world". The plans are part of a new government initiative to speed up Canadian immigration for skilled workers and to plug the skills gap in the country.

Canada welcomes new immigrants: The Canadian Visa Bureau can assist skilled workers interested in Canadian immigration. More information on Canadian visas is available on the website. Anyone applying for a Canadian visa should begin by completing the online Canadian visa application to see if they meet the legislative requirements.