The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently declared the extension of distance learning measures. These measures were put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic period.  

Putting it simply, IRCC extends distance learning measures until December 2023.  

According to this extension, students who’ve finished less than fifty percent of their PGWP-eligible studies outside of Canada will be able to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) until December 31, 2023. 

IRCC Extends Distance Learning Measures 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, all foreign students were required to complete at least fifty percent of their studies online. Also, the duration of their online studies outside of Canada was not measured towards the eligibility for PGWP.  

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, when people were unable to relocate due to the traveling restrictions, IRCC removed the online education limitations for the below-mentioned students.  

  • Students who registered in in-progress PGWP-eligible programs in March 2020 
  • Students who started their PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022 

This implies that students who started their studies abroad before August 31, 2022, were able to utilize their entire time duration (100 percent) towards their PGWP eligibility. Moreover, students who enrolled in the program between September 1, 2023, and December 2023 will be able to use only half of their time (50%) towards their PGWP eligibility.  

It’s notable that, for students who are studying overseas after September 1, 2023, this distance learning measure and its extension does not apply. This is irrespective of when they started their studies. In addition to this, for students who enrolled in programs after August 31, 2022, this measure and its extension are not applicable.  

Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) 

Canada’s PGWP, Post Graduation Work Permit, is an open work permit for foreign students who intend to continue to live in the country and start working after completing their study program.  

As PGWP is an open work permit (OWP), it enables the students to work for any Canadian employer. The extent of the study program determines the duration of the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and it can last up to three years.  

As per the IRCC’s update, in the event that a student is enrolled in a program at a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) and spends time studying while outside of Canada, the time that will be calculated toward the length of the PGWP will begin only after the department obtains his study permit application. 

Eligibility criteria for a PGWP 

In order to qualify for the PGWP, students must satisfy the following conditions:  

  • They must have finished their studies at a DLI in an academic, vocational, or professional training program of at least eight-month duration.  
  • They must have received a transcript and an official letter from an eligible DLI. This must indicate that the student has satisfied all the requirements to complete their study program, which must be submitted with the PGWP application.  

Several federal and provincial immigration programs favor candidates with Canadian education and work experience. Thus, students who remain in Canada after their studies on a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are able to use any work experience they earn to gain Canadian permanent resident status.