In a significant move, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently unveiled plans to overhaul its International Student Program to enhance its robustness and safeguard students from potential fraud. These changes, scheduled to roll out in the upcoming months, will necessitate Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to directly verify each applicant’s letter of acceptance with IRCC, ensuring that study permits are issued based on genuine acceptance letters only.
Anticipated for the fall semester of 2024, IRCC will introduce a “recognized institution” framework, offering several advantages to DLIs, including priority processing for study permit applications.
A major development is also on the horizon, marking the first comprehensive review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) criteria in a decade. The upcoming changes aim to align the program more closely with the country’s labor market needs, as well as regional and Francophone immigration objectives.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The PGWP is a valuable opportunity for international students completing eligible Canadian post-secondary programs. It grants the flexibility to work for any employer of choice in Canada for up to three years, contingent on the duration of the educational program.
One of the key advantages of the PGWP is its role in providing international students with crucial professional work experience in Canada—a vital factor for those aspiring to pursue Canadian immigration. Various immigration pathways in Canada often favor applicants with a combination of Canadian study and work experience.
Eligibility Criteria for the PGWP
To qualify for a PGWP, international students must meet specific criteria, including:
Completion of studies in an eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Full-time student status during each academic session
Receipt of a transcript and official confirmation from the DLI of meeting program requirements
Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution
It’s worth noting that certain exemptions to the full-time student requirement have been granted during the pandemic, providing flexibility for students who began their studies between spring 2020 and summer 2022.
Rise of the PGWP
Statistics Canada’s 2022 study reveals a consistent upward trajectory in the number of PGWP holders in Canada. The study indicates that the total number of PGWP holders surged from 10,300 in 2008 to an impressive 64,700 in 2018. The rising popularity of the PGWP is attributed to its role in enabling international students to earn a livelihood in Canada, coupled with a substantial increase in median earnings for PGWP holders from 2008 to 2018.
China and India emerged as leading source countries, accounting for 66% of all issued PGWPs in 2018, compared to 51% in 2008. As of the end of 2022, over 286,000 international graduates held a valid PGWP in Canada, with tens of thousands successfully transitioning to permanent residence annually—a testament to the program’s effectiveness. In 2021 alone, more than 157,000 graduates achieved permanent residence, reaching a record high.
The upcoming review of the PGWP signifies a pivotal moment, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to adapt immigration policies to the evolving needs of international students and the Canadian labor market.