International students as a source of labour supply: Transition to permanent residency

In addition to attracting and selecting international students, the Canadian International Student Program has evolved to facilitate work opportunities for them and help them transition to permanent residency. Permanent residency opportunities are available to current international students or recent graduates, including those already working in Canada as temporary workers. Canadian educational credentials and work experience assist temporary residents in qualifying for permanent residency in Canada. The Canadian Experience Class was established in 2008, specifically to provide permanent residency opportunities for skilled temporary foreign workers, including those who spent time in Canada as international students. Many Provincial Nominee Programs have also been put in place to attract recent graduates (with or without a job offer) and temporary foreign workers. Through the Express Entry application management selection system (launched in 2015), points are awarded to those who have studied or worked in the country or whose spouse (if applicable) has studied or worked in Canada.
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