Starting November 1, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will enforce new Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP) rules, significantly impacting foreign students, especially college graduates. Students who obtained or applied for study permits before this date remain eligible for a PGWP under current rules, but those applying on or after November 1 will follow the new guidelines.
The updated rules prioritize graduates of university degree programs, allowing them up to three years of work authorization without restrictions based on their field of study. For college graduates, however, only those who complete programs in selected fields like agriculture, healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and transportation are eligible for a PGWP. Fields such as tourism, hospitality, and business studies are notably excluded, likely affecting numerous foreign students’ job prospects in Canada.
Educational institutions have raised concerns, emphasizing that the changes could hurt international students and local communities. Karen Dancy from Olds College warned that removing hospitality from the list will harm students in rural areas. Similarly, College Ontario President Marketa Evans urged IRCC to consider regional labor needs, calling for collaboration with provinces.
Alongside the study requirements, students must meet specific language qualifications for PGWP eligibility. University graduates need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 in English or the equivalent in French, while college graduates must achieve a CLB score of 5.
According to The Toronto Star, over 150,000 PGWPs were issued in the first half of the year, with 64% going to college graduates. Under the new rules, many students in business and other unlisted fields may find it harder to qualify, prompting concerns from students and institutions alike.