Canada’s immigration department IRCC declared modifications to the International Student Program on October 27, which are expected to be enforced in the upcoming months. These initiatives are to strengthen the program and safeguard students against fraud. 

Also, IRCC will soon conduct a review of PGWP for the first time in a decade. 

As per the new criteria, the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada will required to verify the letter of acceptance of all applicants directly with the IRCC. This is to ensure that the study permits are provided only on the basis of valid letters of acceptance. 

Additionally, IRCC will embrace a “recognized institution,” a framework by the autumn of 2024 that will help DLIs in various ways, including priority processing of study permit applications. 

The declaration: IRCC will Review PGWP Soon

Furthermore, IRCC informed that in the upcoming months, they would conduct a review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) measures and start carrying out the adjustments to it. These are intended to align with the country’s labor market demand while meeting the regional and French proficient immigration objectives. 

Notably, this would be the first assessment of the PGWP in ten years. 

Understanding What PGWP Is. 

As IRCC will review PGWP soon, it’s vital to understand what the program actually is. 

PGWP stands for Post Graduation Work Permit. Students from overseas countries who complete an eligible post-secondary program in Canada may qualify for a PGWP. A Post Graduation Work Permit enables eligible international students to work for any Canadian employer. 

In accordance with the length of the Canadian educational program, a PGWP is typically valid for a maximum of 3 years. 

PGWP is beneficial for international students in various ways, especially as it allows them to acquire professional work experience in Canada. 

This work experience is essential for international students who intend to apply for Canadian immigration. 

A number of Canada’s immigration pathways prefer applicants who have completed their studies and/or worked in Canada. 

Typically, applicants with a PGWP must have at least a year of work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of 0, A, or B to be qualified to apply for Canadian permanent residency. 

Eligibility Requirements for the PGWP

International students must satisfy the below-stated requirements to be eligible for the PGWP or Post Graduation Work Permit: 

  • They must have completed their studies in an educational program, either an academic, vocational, or professional training program that must be at least eight months long at an approved Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The educational program must provide a degree, diploma, or certificate to the students. 
  • They must have maintained a full-time student status throughout each academic session of the program or programs completed and mentioned in their application for a post-graduation work permit. 
  • They must have obtained an official letter from an approved DLI and a transcript demonstrating that the applicant has satisfied the requirements to complete their study program in Canada. 
  • They must have completed their graduation from a public post-secondary institution like college, a trade or technical school, a university, CEGEP, or a private post-secondary school in Quebec that adheres to the public school regulations of Quebec. This also encompasses a private secondary or post-secondary school in Quebec, offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or more leading to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) or Canadian private schools authorized to grant degrees under provincial law such as a Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree. However, degree-granting private schools in Canada are eligible only if the student was enrolled in a program leading to a degree as approved by the respective province. 

Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has relaxed the full-time student requirement for certain international students. 

These exemptions may apply to those students who started their studies in Canada between 2020 and the summer of 2022. This also includes students whose study program was already in process in March 2020. 

Additionally, these exceptions may apply to those who took leave from their studies in their final academic session. 

The Rise in the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Holders 

A study conducted by Statistics Canada in 2022 revealed that the total number of Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders in Canada has 

grown yearly. As per this, in 2008, around 28% of graduates obtained a PGWP five years later, compared to 2013, where 52% of graduates had a work permit. 

The study revealed that the total number of PGWP holders in 2008 was 10,300, which increased to 64,700 in 2018.