Federal and provincial immigration officials are currently discussing major changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria. The PGWP is an open work permit available to international students who have completed an eligible program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
According to notes from the IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2024, Canada’s immigration system aims to align the issuance of PGWPs with labor market needs. This alignment will facilitate “access to work permits for students entering occupations in shortage, while reducing access for graduates from other programs.”
The IRCC Binder indicates that advice on this issue will be provided by the Minister in spring 2024, with the goal of implementing changes by January 2025. This direction was also highlighted in an internal survey document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which outlines methods to align educational programs with PGWP availability and solicits feedback from stakeholders.
Implementation of New PGWP Restrictions
While exact implementation details are not yet known, internal survey documents reveal some insights. IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have mapped job titles to programs of study to understand which educational programs provide international students with relevant skills for in-demand sectors of the Canadian economy. This mapping synchronizes Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system with the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system.
Rationale for Changes to the PGWP Program
The goal of aligning PGWPs with labor market needs is to facilitate work permits for students entering occupations in shortage while reducing access for graduates from other programs. The PGWP program, last updated in 2008, saw a 214% increase in work permits issued between 2018 and 2023. Additionally, IRCC’s recent announcement of temporary resident levels and an international student cap further underscores the government’s intent to prioritize permanent residents and citizens in the workforce and alleviate stress on social systems such as healthcare and housing.
Immigration Implications
Gaining Canadian work experience through the PGWP is crucial for international graduates to build eligibility for various permanent residence (PR) programs. Many federal and provincial economic PR programs require at least one year of relevant work experience. The proposed changes to the PGWP program could impact the immigration prospects of current and future international students in Canada.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as they become available.
For more information, you can visit the official IRCC website.