Dubai: In a surprise move, Canada has made it easier for international students from the UAE and elsewhere who wish to remain in the country after graduation, immigration consultants here said.
Under the new rules, announced recently, new graduates can now get work permits without a job offer and those with work experience will find it easier to apply for Canadian immigration.
The work experience has to be for at least one year and will have to be at a high-skill level or in a supervisory position, said Carter Hoppe, a Dubai-based legal consultant.
Those working in clerical positions, in fast food outlets or as filing clerks will not be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
"Canada has recognised the value of international students," said Deborah Schuck, trade commissioner for education and training at the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
She said this will give students easier access to the job market and experience.
More than 1,000 students from the Gulf states apply to study at Canadian universities every year, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia sending the greatest number.
Canada needs to fill the skills gaps in the country as the aging population cannot be replaced fast enough in the job market.
Hoppe also said Ottawa plans to speed up the immigration process and "cherry-pick" applications that have been languishing for months in the queue.
Reportedly there is a backlog of more than 900,000 applications to immigrate to Canada.
Under sweeping changes being planned the immigration minister will issue instructions allowing immigration officers to speed up the process for people with certain skills.
According to Hoppe, about 6,000 people apply for immigration every year from the UAE. He said each Canadian province has a list of occupations which are in high demand.
These range from senior financial and communications managers to civil engineers, architects, pharmacists to automotive service technicians, nurses and computer and information system managers.
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By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter