The Government of Canada has announced substantial changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, study permit eligibility, and work permit rules. These changes aim to address the increasing number of temporary residents and better align immigration levels with Canada's current economic needs. The modifications, effective from November 1, 2024, include revised eligibility criteria, language requirements, and field of study specifications, especially for those submitting their applications after this date. Here’s an in-depth look at the recent updates.
Understanding the PGWP Program
The PGWP allows international students who have completed a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada to work temporarily after graduation. However, not all DLIs and programs qualify for a PGWP. To ensure eligibility, it is crucial to verify whether the institution and program you graduated from are eligible before applying for a PGWP. This is a critical first step for students planning to remain in Canada to work after their studies.
Key Changes to the PGWP Program
What Hasn’t Changed
The general and physical location eligibility requirements for the PGWP remain unchanged. This means that even after November 1, 2024, graduates must still meet these criteria and complete a study program at a PGWP-eligible DLI to qualify.
Additionally, if you apply for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, the existing eligibility criteria will apply to your application. Graduates of PGWP-eligible flight schools will also continue to be assessed under the current rules, regardless of when they apply for their PGWP.
New Eligibility Requirements
For students submitting their study permit applications before or after November 1, 2024, different eligibility rules apply:
If You Submitted Your Study Permit Application Before November 1, 2024:
If you are applying for a PGWP after November 1, 2024, you must meet the new language requirements based on the level of your education.
Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree must demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French.
Graduates from other university programs must meet the same language criteria (CLB 7/NCLC 7 in all four language areas).
Graduates from college or other programs need to demonstrate a minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French.
If You Submit Your Study Permit Application On or After November 1, 2024:
Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree need to meet a minimum CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language areas. All fields of study are eligible.
For graduates from other university programs, the same language level is required (CLB 7/NCLC 7), but their program must be in an eligible field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
Graduates from college programs or other programs must meet a minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French and complete their studies in an eligible field.
Language Requirements for PGWP Applicants
A critical update to the PGWP program is the introduction of stricter language requirements. All applicants must now demonstrate their proficiency in either English or French across four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your language test results must be less than two years old when submitting your application. Accepted language tests include:
For university graduates, a minimum CLB 7/NCLC 7 is required, while college graduates need at least CLB 5/NCLC 5.
Field of Study Requirement
For certain study programs, especially those linked to specific in-demand occupations, a new field of study requirement applies. Graduates from these programs must complete their studies in one of the following areas:
Agriculture and agri-food
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
These fields are designed to address long-term labor shortages in critical sectors of the Canadian economy. To check if your program qualifies under these new criteria, visit the CIP codes list.
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