Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Ms. Diane Finley, announced the amendments to the procedure for obtaining work permits for foreign students - graduates of the programs of a number of higher educational institutions. Changes were made to attract foreign students to Canada. The amendments entered into force immediately after the application of Ms. minister and foreign students were able to obtain an open work permit under the program to obtain work permits for graduates, with no restrictions on the nature of work and without the requirement of a formal invitation to work. The duration of the work permit has been extended to 3 years across the country. Previous program allows foreign students to work only for two years throughout Canada, except the cities of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, where they could work no more than one year.