IRCC announces new eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits

On January 22nd, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled pivotal changes aimed at steadying growth and curbing the issuance of international study permits in 2024. In tandem with these modifications, IRCC announced updates to the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Effective September 2024, graduates of study programs associated with curriculum licensing agreements will no longer qualify for a PGWP. This primarily impacts students attending private colleges licensed to deliver a public college's curriculum. In essence, if a student is enrolled in a private college linked through licensing agreements with a public institution, they lose eligibility for a PGWP. IRCC cites less oversight in such programs, posing a loophole in PGWP eligibility.

In response to the rising trend of institutions admitting more students than they can accommodate, leading to revoked letters of acceptance (LOAs), IRCC implemented this change to create a more controlled and sustainable environment for international students in Canada.

Additionally, IRCC announced an extension for graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs, enabling them to apply for a 3-year work permit. Currently, PGWP duration aligns with the length of the study program, disadvantaging shorter-term graduate students. This change addresses the limitations, providing master’s students with an extended opportunity for valuable Canadian work experience, facilitating their path to permanent residency.

How does the PGWP work?

A PGWP is an open work permit, which allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer without needing a job offer.

The PGWP is valid for up to three years, however the actual length of each person's PGWP generally depends on the length of their study program in Canada. For example, if the completed program was between 8 months and less than 2 years, then the PGWP will be valid for the same length (e.g., a 10-month program will result in a 10-month PGWP).

The major benefit of the PGWP is that it allows international graduates to gain professional work experience in Canada. Such work experience is helpful when PGWP holders go on to apply for permanent resident status.

To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must have:

• Completed studies in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least eight months long at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Study program must have led to a degree, diploma or certificate
• Held full time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program of study and included as part of their post-graduation work permit application
• Obtained a transcript and an official letter from the DLI confirming the applicant has met all requirements to complete their program of study

The student must also have graduated from:

• A public post-secondary institution, such as a college, a trade or technical school, a university, or a CEGEP (in Quebec)
• A private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec;
• Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.

According to the latest data from November 2023 provided IRCC, 62,410 international student graduates successfully obtained permanent residency in Canada. This marked a notable rise of 9,670 individuals compared to the 52,740 international graduates who transitioned to permanent residency in 2022.

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