For students aspiring to take up post graduate studies at Canada and getting a work permit subsequently, there is good news. International students will now be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer.

The duration of the work permit has also been extended to three years across the country. Earlier, the programme allowed international students to work either for a year or for two years, depending on location. The move comes as major incentive for Indian students, especially those who have started looking beyond the UK, US and Australia for education.

A spokesperson for the Canadian High Commission said that 5,700 Indian students were studying in Canada till last year.

"The increased flexibility offered by the expanded programme will benefit graduates and employers. It will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada's labour market needs," said the spokesperson.

A minimum of one year of work experience in managerial, professional or technical positions at levels specified under the National Occupational Classification system would be required to apply for permanent stay through the Canadian Experience Class.

To be eligible for the programme, international students must have studied full-time for the eight months preceding the completion of their programme of studies.

They should also have graduated from a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university or CEGEP (in Quebec); or a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and that receives at least 50 per cent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants or a Canadian private institution authorised by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees.