In a significant policy shift, Canada has announced new restrictions for international students seeking to work in the country after graduation. The changes, which will be implemented on November 1, 2024, aim to link eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to specific fields of study associated with long-term labor shortages. This move marks a substantial adjustment in the criteria that international students have traditionally used to select their study programs.
New Eligibility Criteria for PGWP
The recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) outlines that international students applying for a study permit on or after November 1 must choose their fields of study from designated sectors experiencing labor shortages. This alteration significantly restricts the flexibility students once had in selecting their academic programs.
While students who applied for or currently hold a study permit before the cutoff date will remain eligible for the PGWP under the existing criteria, those graduating from college programs and non-degree pathways will now face more stringent requirements. Their eligibility will be confined to five specific sectors: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), skilled trades, and transportation. Furthermore, the duration of the work permit will correspond directly to the length of the chosen study program.
The IRCC’s announcement, released on October 4, also provides a list of 966 eligible programs for PGWP applications. Importantly, programs in fields such as tourism, hospitality, and business will no longer qualify for the post-graduation work permit, raising concerns among educators and stakeholders.
Language Proficiency Requirements
In addition to the field of study restrictions, the new regulations require PGWP applicants to demonstrate language proficiency based on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). University students will need to achieve a CLB level of 7, while college students must meet a CLB level of 5. Accepted language proficiency tests include the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Pearson Test of English (PTE) for English, as well as the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) and the Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) for French. Results from these tests will be valid for up to two years before the application date.
Concerns Among Educators
The announcement has sparked considerable concern among educators and industry professionals. Karen Dancy, Director of Recruitment and International at Olds College, voiced her apprehensions on LinkedIn regarding the exclusion of hospitality programs from the eligible fields. Dancy emphasized, “This will be catastrophic for local communities, including rural and remote areas, that rely on our college-educated international learners.”
Larissa Bezo, President of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), echoed these sentiments. Speaking to The PIE News, Bezo expressed that the restrictions on colleges and polytechnics demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of their essential role in meeting labor market and community needs across Canada. She warned that the perception of limited opportunities through the college system could adversely affect international recruitment efforts, potentially discouraging students from enrolling in programs critical to Canada’s labor market.
The CBIE reports that 70% of international students in Canada in 2023 intend to apply for a PGWP after completing their studies, highlighting the program’s significance to international students’ post-graduation plans.
Broader Changes in Canada’s Student Visa Policies
The newly introduced PGWP regulations are part of a broader shift in Canada’s student visa policies. In September, the Canadian government announced it would reduce the total number of student visas issued by 10%, capping the number at 437,000 by 2025. This restriction applies specifically to master’s and doctoral students, with 12% of the quota reserved for these levels.
From 2025 onwards, applicants will also be required to present a provincial or territorial approval letter (PAL) as part of their study permit applications, further tightening entry requirements for international students. Additionally, the regulations concerning accompanying family members have also become more stringent. Work permits will now only be granted to the spouses of master’s students enrolled in programs lasting at least 16 months.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, stated that these changes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to “maintain the integrity of the immigration system.” Earlier this year, Canada also increased the financial requirement for study permits from CAD 10,000 (USD 7,250) to CAD 20,635, while institutions were instructed to issue admission letters only if international students had secured adequate housing.
Canada’s Growing Attraction for International Students
Despite these regulatory changes, Canada continues to attract a growing number of international students. In 2023, the country recorded 1,040,985 international students holding active study permits, marking a remarkable 29% increase from the previous year. This surge has surpassed the government’s target of 950,000 students for the year, reflecting Canada’s appeal as a destination for higher education.
The new restrictions on the PGWP and student visas come as Canada seeks to balance its immigration goals with the necessity to manage labor market demands. While the regulations aim to streamline the integration of international students into critical sectors of the economy, they also pose challenges for students pursuing fields outside the identified labor shortages.
Conclusion
As Canada enacts these new regulations governing the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, the impact on international students and educational institutions remains to be fully understood. Stakeholders, educators, and students alike are left to navigate the implications of these changes as they strive to adapt to the evolving landscape of Canada’s immigration and education policies. The need for inclusive and supportive pathways for international students has never been more pressing as the country seeks to maintain its status as a premier destination for global education.
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