New Eligibility Rules in Canada for the Post-Graduation Work Permit

Indian students have always been inclined to go to Canada for higher education. Canada not only has a pool of some of the world’s best universities but also offers great opportunities post-completion of studies. Canadian job markets ensure that international students graduating from the universities can work, and even settle. Stricter visa, immigration, and post-study work opportunities in countries like the US have made Canada a great place to learn, work and settle. However, the Canadian government has made some changes related to the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for international students.

The New Change in PGWP By the Canadian Government

The Canadian government has brought in a new rule wherein the students studying at unsubsidized private institutions in the Quebec region will not be able to get PGWP. It will have a significant impact on those students who were planning to take admission to unsubsidized private institutions in Quebec. However, the overall impact will not be much as students go to other regions too for higher education. The Canadian government has decided that the new rules will come into effect from September 1, 2023. After this date, any international student graduating from an unsubsidized private will not be eligible for PGWP.

The new restructuring program was initiated when the Quebec government directed the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to disallow those students who haven’t graduated from public or subsidized private institutions. One of the pertinent reasons behind this move is to ensure quality control over educational institutions. The mushrooming of universities would have an impact in the long run and might erode the reputation that Canadian institutions have built over time. The Canadian government’s new rule will help the authorities in maintaining the qualitative aspect of education, and also help students in getting the world-class education for which they come to Canada.

Impact of the New Rule in Limiting the Scope of PGWP

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was ambitious in revamping the scale and scope of university education in Canada. The Canadian government under his leadership took the task of restructuring the education system wherein it would allow more international students to come to Canada. International students are not only a source of a cost-effective and talented workforce but also a good source of earnings. Students coming from Asian countries spend a considerably good amount on tuition fees and cost of living which in turn helps the Canadian economy.

However, the new rule will have a bearing on the students from the international community as they might not have similar employment prospects as they used to. The new rules would be effective from September 1, 2023, which means that students who had planned to study at unsubsidized educational institutions in Quebec might move to some other country. The number of students enrolled in these institutions has witnessed a more than twofold increase. In fact, as per the statistics, the number of students enrolled in these institutions stood at 4,900 in 2016-18 while it jumped more than twice to 11,500, a whopping 234% increment.

One of the perks of being in the PGWP was that students were allowed to work anywhere they wanted after graduation. The students had the liberty to take up jobs anywhere in Canada and with an employer of their choice. In fact, this program was the reason why even other countries like the US, UK, and Australia brought changes to their immigration policies to make it more lucrative for international students. The open work permit attracted students as the tuition fee is also reasonable when compared with the US and the UK. And it also gave them equally good work opportunities.

The students with a PGWP are allowed to work hassle-free for a time period of 8 months to 3 years. The timing of the work permit depends on the course for which the student has applied, and the area of expertise. The study program at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is the real determinant of the time period for which the students will be getting the PGWP. The IRCC also provides a broader picture of the time duration for which the PGWP is issued. The duration of PGWP is usually the same as the duration of the course. For instance, if a student has enrolled in a course for two years, the PGWP will be for two years only. However, there is no provision for getting a PGWP if the course duration is of less than 8 months.

Traditionally Indian and Chinese students have been the biggest beneficiary of the visa and Permanent Residence programs. But in recent years, Indians have surpassed all, and they amount to more than 33% of the total number of international students in Canada. As per the latest data, in December 2021, there were around 6,20,000 international students of which around 2,17,000 were from India. As of now, the policy stands. Any change in the government’s stance will be updated to the page.

Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Changes - Applicable From 1st November 2024

As of November 1, 2024, significant changes have been implemented to Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program that requires international students' eligibility based on language proficiency and fields of study.

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  Students are now required to demonstrate proficiency in English or French by achieving a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in all four language areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
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  University Graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees), all fields of study remain eligible for a PGWP of up to three years.
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  For the college-level and other non-degree university programs students, eligibility is now restricted to specific fields of study. These fields include agriculture, agri-food, healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), trades, and transport. A list of 966 eligible programs has been provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How can IELTS Help You Get PGWP in Canada?

For international students, the IELTS plays a significant role in helping them secure a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada.

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  Increase Your Study Permit Approval Chances - Your strong IELTS scores improve your chances of getting the study permit which is required for the PGWP.

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  Demonstrate Language Skills for Employment - Many Canadian employers requires you to submit the proof of your language skills even when you receive a PGWP. A good IELTS score reflects your ability to communicate effectively at your workplace.

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  Enhancing Permanent Residency (PR) applications: You can apply for permanent residency after gaining work experience with a PGWP. Your IELTS score plays a key role in programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) by enhancing your CRS score.

Steps to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Under the New Rules

This section will provide you step-by-step guide to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) under the updated rules effective November 1, 2024.

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  Start by first checking your eligibility whether you are eligible or not for the PGWP like holding a strong IELTS score.
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  Collect important documents like acad3mic transcripts, language proficiency scores, study permit, passport, and payment proof (PGWP application fee and biometrics fee).
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  Visit the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) Portal and create an account.
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  Fill out the PGWP application form and upload the required documents.
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  Pay the application fee of CAD 255 (CAD 155 for the work permit plus CAD 100 for the Open Work Permit Holder fee).

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