Canada relaxes work permit rules

http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/department/media/releases/2008/2008-04-21.asp

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In a move to make Canada more attractive to foreign students, immigration authorities have announced relaxed work permit rules for those who graduate from eligible programs from participating universities.

International students who graduate from eligible programs at select Canadian universities can obtain an "open work permit" under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of job and no requirement for a previous job offer.

The Post-Graduate Work Permit Program allows international students who have graduated from eligible programs from Canadian post-secondary institutions to temporarily work in Canada after completion of their studies.

The work permit would be valid for three years across the country. Previous rules only allowed a foreign graduate to work for one or two years, depending on their location within Canada. In addition, foreign graduates were only allowed to work under the program in fields related to their course of study.