Canada’s immigration minister on Wednesday invited more foreign students and temporary foreign workers to apply to stay in the country next year, though immigration levels will remain unchanged.
Up to 10,000 foreign students and temporary foreign workers will be allowed to apply for permanent residency, up from 6,000 last year, under new immigration rules.
However, total immigration levels will stay frozen at 240,000 to 265,000 for the seventh straight year.
“Newcomers bring their skills and talents, contribute to our economy and help renew our workforce so that Canada remains competitive on the world stage,” Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said.
He said Canada is especially courting younger immigrants who come to study and could be hired locally after graduating.
They are “the immigrants of the future”, Kenney added. “They are young. They have Canadian degrees or diplomas. They have strong Canadian language skills. They are set for success.”
