June 1, 2014 will be the day when changes to International Students’ Program would be introduced.
The new set of rules is meant to curb upon fraud cases and would discourage anyone who has been misusing the program.
The crisp changes
• Study permits will be issued to the students who will be studying at a recognized or designated institution in the country. This would include those institutions too which are recognized by provinces and territories. However, the students will have to meet a minimum set of standards.
• Once a student receives his study permit he has to pursue studies in Canada. Many a time’s immigrants enter Canada on a student visa and they don’t study.
• Students will be allowed to take up a part time job if they are enrolled to a recognized or designated institution in the country.
The bigger picture
The changes mean that every territory and province will have to make a list of designated institutions so that based on the same international students could be awarded a permit.
The Government is though not too clear about the regulations of designating an institution by a province.
Those students who have already enrolled themselves and are pursuing a course from an institution in Canada would be allowed to complete the same even if their institution is not included in the list released by territories. Such students would be given a maximum period of three years to complete their course, after the new rules are implemented.
Changes in allowing students to work
The new changes would enable the internationals students to work off the campus for 20 hours in a week when the academic session is on.
They can take up a full time job during vacations or breaks.
Students enrolled into a secondary school or at a designed institution can only apply for co-op work permit.
The dissatisfaction
With the implementation of the above mentioned rules, Language School industry expressed its unhappiness because students enrolled with them do not become eligible to meet the above mentioned requirements.
Impact on Labor Market
CIC firmly believes that students enrolled with this course could not be observed as potential contributors to Canadian job market and hence to the economy of the country. And hence more concentration is towards giving work permit to those who can be a fit into the job market and meet the skill shortages in the country.
By allowing them to work off campus and take full time job during breaks, the Government aims at ensuring these students gain Canadian work experience, ultimately this would strengthen the economy of the country.
Labor Market in the country is in constant want of workers who can positively make contributions. This is the key to economic growth of the country. Changes in International Students’ Program is nothing but another attempt to ensure that fraud cases are discouraged and also these students who come to Canada to acquire degrees can become an asset.