Explore the latest changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit!
On October 27th, IRCC had announced changes to its International Student Program that will soon be implemented in the following months in order to strengthen the program and keep the students away from fraud.
These measures would require DLI’s to confirm every applicant’s letter of acceptance directly with IRCC to ensure that study permits are issued on genuine letter of acceptance.
In the 2024 fall semester, IRCC will use a “recognized institution” framework to help DLIs in several ways, including faster processing of study permit applications. Additionally, IRCC plans to assess and update the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) criteria to match the country’s labor market needs and immigration goals, marking the first review of the program in a decade.
What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
International students who complete a Canadian post-secondary program can apply for a PGWP, which permits them to work for any Canadian employer. The PGWP’s duration, up to three years, depends on the length of their Canadian educational program.
The PGWP is valuable because it provides international students with
professional work experience in Canada, which is essential if they plan to
apply for Canadian immigration. Many Canadian immigration pathways prefer
applicants with Canadian study and work experience. Typically, PGWP holders
need one year of work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of 0, A, or B to be eligible for Canadian permanent residency.
What is the Eligibility Criteria?
To be eligible for a PGWP, following are the criterias.
- Completed studies in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least eight months long at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List. The study program must have led to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program or programs of study completed and included as part of their post-graduation work permit application;
- Received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the applicant has met the requirements to complete their program of study;
- Graduated from a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, a trade or technical school, a university, CEGEP (in Quebec), a private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec; a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer and results in the issuance of a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP); or Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has temporarily removed the requirement for certain international students to study full-time. This exemption covers those who started their studies between spring 2020 and summer 2022, as well as students whose programs were ongoing in March 2020. Additionally, exceptions may be made for students who took a break from their studies in their last academic session.
Growth of the PGWP.
A 2022 Statistics Canada study revealed that the number of PGWP holders in Canada has consistently grown over the years. The study found that 29% of 2008 graduates held a PGWP five years later, while 52% of 2013 graduates did the same.
The data indicated a significant increase in PGWP holders from 2008 (10,300) to 2018 (64,700).
According to Statistics Canada, the PGWP’s popularity stems from its ability to allow international students to work in Canada, and the median earnings of PGWP holders have substantially risen from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, 51% of all PGWP holders originated from China and India. By 2018, these two countries accounted for 66% of all issued PGWPs.
By the end of 2022, Canada had over 286,000 international graduates holding a valid PGWP. Additionally, each year, tens of thousands of PGWP holders make a successful transition to permanent residence, with a record high of over 157,000 in 2021. In 2022, this number was nearly 95,000, the second-highest total ever.