Canadian immigration law eased for skilled

WATERLOO, Ontario, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Canadian government announced a new immigration "class" Tuesday, making it easier for skilled non-citizens to gain permanent resident status.

Speaking at a University of Waterloo news conference northwest of Toronto, Canadian Immigration Minister Diane Finley said skilled, temporary foreign workers and international students who graduate from a Canadian university or college will be able to apply for permanent resident status without having to leave the country, as the law now requires, the Toronto Star reported.

People in managerial, professional, technical occupations and skilled trades are eligible but also must have two years of work experience in their field and basic language skills.

Farmers, unskilled laborers and factory workers are not eligible for the new class, Finley said.

Department statistics show 165,200 foreign workers and 74,000 foreign students arrived in Canada on work permits or student visas last year. Finley estimated as many as 18,000 non-citizens will be eligible for the new class initially.

Canada maintains an annual immigration target of 250,000, the report said.