Foreign students denied work permits over ‘distance learning’

Interesting example of how regulations have to respond to technological and business model changes (my bias is for physical over virtual presence as a means to obtain Canadian experience):

Foreign graduates from Niagara College who have taken many of their courses online are faced with having to leave Canada early because they’ve been deemed ineligible for post-graduate work permits.

With online courses becoming an increasingly mainstream part of higher education, their exclusion from the three-year work permit program for new graduates — meant to retain the talents of the best students coming to Canada — raises questions about how well immigration policy is adapting to evolving technologies.

The students in the school’s general arts and sciences program had high hopes of earning Canadian work experience after their study visas expired, given that the school is listed on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s “designated learning institutions list” for the work permit program.

But they were told their studies failed to meet the requirements because the bulk of their classes were conducted online and considered “distance learning.”

“Immigration is not keeping pace with the changes of education,” said Toronto immigration lawyer Ravi Jain, who is representing more than 50 of the affected students. “These are highly attractive programs, and (foreign) students have to be careful about these online programs.”

Although the Immigration department states on its website that distance learning is ineligible for post-graduation work permits, it does not define what constitutes distance learning. Complaining students said the Niagara College program delivered three-quarters of its course work online, but they had to attend the program in-class at least once a week.

“We all came with a dream of getting a good education and getting work experience, and we made sure our school was recognized by immigration,” said Jagrit Sahni, 25, whose study visa expired in May.

“We checked with the college when we applied. It said we would qualify for a three-year work permit under the current immigration rules.”

Foreign students denied work permits over ‘distance learning’