Federal and provincial immigration officials are deliberating substantial amendments to the eligibility criteria for the Postgraduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is an open work permit granted to international students who have completed a qualifying program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
According to the 2024 IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder, the aim is to align the issuance of PGWPs with labor market demands. This approach seeks to facilitate work permits for students entering high-demand occupations while limiting permits for graduates from other fields.
The Binder notes that the Minister will advise on this matter in spring 2024, with a target implementation date of January 2025.
This update was underscored by an internal survey document distributed to relevant stakeholders by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The document outlined IRCC’s methods to align educational programs with PGWP availability and requested stakeholder feedback.
How Will IRCC Implement These New PGWP Restrictions?
Although specific details on implementing these changes are unavailable, internal survey documents provide some insights.
The internal documents indicate that IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have mapped job titles to educational programs. This mapping aims to better understand which programs equip international students with the skills and experience needed in high-demand sectors of the Canadian economy.
This alignment was achieved by synchronizing Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system with the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system. While the NOC system categorizes occupations in Canada, the CIP system classifies educational programs by field of study. For instance, the internal document maps the “carpenter” NOC to three study programs: construction trades, carpentry, and woodworking/general.
Why Is IRCC Pursuing These Changes to the PGWP Program?
IRCC’s objective is to align labor market needs with the availability of work permits, prioritizing students entering high-demand occupations and reducing permits for graduates from other fields.
The last significant update to Canada’s PGWP program was in 2008, which allowed the issuance of open work permits to international graduates based on the duration of their studies. Between 2018 and 2023, PGWP issuance increased by 214%.
Recent sweeping changes to temporary residence levels in Canada, including work/study permits, visitor visas, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), suggest additional motivations for these changes. Following the announcement of an international student cap in January 2024, IRCC declared the inclusion of temporary resident levels in the annual Immigration Levels Plan, aiming to reduce the stress on Canada’s social systems, such as healthcare and housing, by limiting new temporary residents annually.
Immigration Implications
Gaining Canadian work experience through the PGWP is crucial for international graduates to qualify for many permanent residence (PR) programs. These programs often require at least a year of relevant work experience.
If implemented, the proposed changes to the PGWP program could significantly impact immigration pathways for international students currently studying in Canada.
Changes to Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility FR
Federal and provincial immigration officials are currently deliberating substantial amendments to the eligibility criteria for the Postgraduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is an open work permit granted to international students who have completed a qualifying program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
According to the 2024 IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder, the aim is to align the issuance of PGWPs with labor market demands. This approach seeks to facilitate work permits for students entering high-demand occupations while limiting permits for graduates from other fields.
The Binder notes that the Minister will advise on this matter in spring 2024, with a target implementation date of January 2025.
This important update was underscored by an internal survey document distributed to you, our valued stakeholders, by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The document outlined IRCC’s methods to align educational programs with PGWP availability and requested your crucial feedback.
How Will IRCC Implement These New PGWP Restrictions?
Although specific details on implementing these changes are being finalized, the internal survey documents provide some valuable insights.
The internal documents indicate that IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have mapped job titles to educational programs. This mapping aims to understand better which programs equip international students with the skills and experience needed in high-demand sectors of the Canadian economy.
This alignment was achieved by synchronizing Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system with the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system. While the NOC system categorizes occupations in Canada, the CIP system classifies educational programs by field of study. For instance, the internal document maps the “carpenter” NOC to three study programs: construction trades, carpentry, and woodworking/general.
Why Is IRCC Pursuing These Changes to the PGWP Program?
IRCC’s objective is to align labor market needs with the availability of work permits, prioritizing students like you who are entering high-demand occupations. This change is designed to enhance your opportunities and reduce permits for graduates from other fields.
The last significant update to Canada’s PGWP program was in 2008, which allowed the issuance of open work permits to international graduates based on the duration of their studies. Between 2018 and 2023, PGWP issuance increased by 214%.
Recent sweeping changes to temporary residence levels in Canada, including work/study permits, visitor visas, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), suggest additional motivations for these changes. Following the announcement of an international student cap in January 2024, IRCC declared the inclusion of temporary resident levels in the annual Immigration Levels Plan, aiming to reduce the stress on Canada’s social systems, such as healthcare and housing, by limiting new temporary residents annually.
Immigration Implications
Gaining Canadian work experience through the PGWP is crucial for international graduates to qualify for many permanent residence (PR) programs. These programs often require at least a year of relevant work experience.
If implemented, the proposed changes to the PGWP program could significantly impact immigration pathways for international students currently studying in Canada.