Federal and provincial officials are considering significant changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. The PGWP allows international students who have completed an eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to work in Canada.
Proposed Changes
- Alignment with Labour Market Needs: The goal is to facilitate access to work permits for students entering high-demand occupations and reduce access for graduates from other programs.
- Implementation Timeline: Advice is expected by spring 2024, with changes potentially starting in January 2025.
- Mapping Job Titles to Programs: IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) are mapping job titles to educational programs to better align the PGWP with labour market demands using Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) and the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) systems.
Reasons for Changes
- Addressing Labour Market Needs: The aim is to provide work permits to students in occupations with shortages.
- Historical Context: Since the last update in 2008, PGWP issuance has increased by 214% between 2018 and 2023.
- Managing Temporary Residence Levels: To reduce stress on social systems like healthcare and housing, an international student cap and temporary resident levels were introduced in January 2024.
Implications for Immigration
- Canadian Work Experience: The PGWP is a key pathway for international graduates to gain work experience necessary for many permanent residence (PR) programs.
- Impact on Current Students: The changes could affect those already studying in Canada when implemented, potentially influencing their eligibility for PR programs.
- These changes, if implemented, could significantly impact international students and the pathways available for them to remain and work in Canada after graduation.
