The Canadian government recently announced changes to the post-graduate work permit (PGWP) for international students studying in Canada. These changes will take effect from November 1, 2024, onwards.
If you apply for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, you will need to meet the new eligibility criteria in order to apply for a PGWP in Canada. The requirements vary based on the type of program you graduate from.
For students who graduated from a university program, there are specific language and field of study requirements. You must demonstrate English or French language proficiency at a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all 4 language areas. Additionally, your field of study must be in an eligible field.
For students who graduated from a college program or another type of program, there is a field of study requirement. Your program must be linked to occupations in areas like agriculture, healthcare, STEM, trade, or transport.
In a separate development, Canada has announced plans to reduce the number of international student permits in 2025. The government aims to issue 437,000 study permits to international students, down from 485,000 in the current year and over 500,000 in 2023. Additionally, there will be stricter rules for work permits for spouses of international students and foreign workers, as well as enhanced checks for travel visas to address fraudulent or rejected asylum claims.
These changes are part of Canada’s efforts to manage immigration levels and ensure that the country’s population growth remains sustainable.
