Attention International Students!
The Canadian government has recently announced significant changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, effective November 1, 2024. These changes may impact students currently enrolled in, or planning to apply for, study programs in Canada. If you’re an international student aiming to secure a PGWP, here’s what you need to know to stay prepared and eligible!
➡️ What Hasn’t Changed:
Despite these updates, certain core elements of the PGWP program will remain the same:
- General and Location-Based Eligibility: You must still graduate from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada and meet the general eligibility criteria.
- Applications Before November 1, 2024: If you submit your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, or if you’re graduating from PGWP-eligible flight schools, you only need to meet the current eligibility requirements. There’s no need to worry about the newly introduced requirements.
➡️ New Eligibility Requirements (Effective November 1, 2024):
For those applying after November 1, 2024, new eligibility rules will come into play, focusing on language skills and field of study.
1. Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Study Permit Applications Submitted BEFORE November 1, 2024:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral Degrees (University Programs): Applicants must demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) 7 in French.
- College or Non-University Programs: Applicants must demonstrate CLB Level 5 in English or French.
- Study Permit Applications Submitted AFTER November 1, 2024:
- Applicants must meet the above language proficiency requirements AND graduate from an eligible field of study (for college or university graduates), with the exception of bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree holders.
2. Field of Study Requirement:
- After November 1, 2024, if your program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program tied to occupations experiencing long-term shortages in Canada. The approved fields of study fall under five major categories:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Healthcare
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Trades
- Transport
There are currently 966 eligible fields in these categories, aimed at addressing Canada’s labor market needs. If you are applying after November 2024, ensure your program aligns with one of these fields!
📝 Be Prepared:
If you’re planning to apply for a study permit after November 2024, make sure your study program meets the new language and field of study requirements. These changes are designed to ensure that international graduates are better equipped to enter fields that support Canada’s economic needs.
Stay informed about these updates to plan your studies in Canada and your post-graduation career path accordingly. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us for personalized immigration advice!
