New policies made for Canada's immigration system

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) proposed some changes to the express entry into Canada which came into effect late last year.

Interestingly, the changes would look into creating a more responsive and equal immigration system that would see to the needs of all eligible candidates including international students in Canada.

“I think the new changes is just a way of recognizing students with more practical programs other than those students studying less skillful programs,” said Valentine Luke, an international student at Fanshawe.

“If an international student is applying for permanent residence under the express entry and have completed their post-secondary level of education in Canada, then such students will be scoring extra points to go into the candidate group,” said Joy Jia, the international student immigration advisor from the Fanshawe International Centre.

The changes involve scoring 30 points, having completed a program that is more than three years and scoring 15 points having completed a program that is less than three years.

“For international students who do not have foreign working experience, now they can somewhat make up that part of the points that they are missing by schooling in Canada,” Jia said.

This newly implemented policy however aims at attracting skilled workers all around the world to come to Canada to strengthen its economy and society.

“The difference is that in the old policy, the post-secondary level of education was not really recognized in Canada,” Jia said. “I would recommend that any student whose program includes an internship/ co-op should take the advantage.”

Conclusively, as of Nov. 19, 2016, eligible candidates would have more days to complete and gather required documents for assessment.