Canada has introduced new restrictions on international students seeking to work after graduation, limiting eligibility based on fields of study aligned with long-term labour shortages.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, effective November 1, 2024.
Under the revised rules, international students applying for study permits after this date must choose programs in sectors with labour shortages to qualify for a PGWP, reducing the flexibility previously available in selecting courses of study. Those who applied for or currently hold a study permit before November 1 will still be eligible under the old guidelines. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students are unaffected by the changes.
However, college graduates and students in non-degree programs will face new restrictions, with eligibility limited to five core areas: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), skilled trades, and transportation. The work permit's duration will correspond to the length of their academic program. IRCC has provided a list of 966 eligible programs.
Fields such as tourism, hospitality, and business will no longer qualify for the PGWP. In addition, applicants must now meet specific language proficiency requirements. University students must achieve Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7, while college students need to meet CLB level 5. Accepted tests include CELPIP (General), IELTS (General Training), and PTE (Core) for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Test results will be valid for up to two years prior to the application.
These changes have raised concerns among educators. Karen Dancy, Director of Recruitment and International at Olds College, expressed alarm at the exclusion of hospitality programs, warning that this could harm local communities relying on international students. Larissa Bezo, President of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), shared these concerns, noting the potential negative impact on international student recruitment, especially for colleges and polytechnics.
According to the CBIE, 70% of international students in 2023 intended to apply for a PGWP after graduation. The new rules follow broader reforms to Canada’s student visa policies, including a 10% reduction in student visa approvals by 2025 and stricter rules for accompanying family members.
These changes, aimed at preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system, follow other recent measures such as doubling the financial requirement for study permits and requiring proof of secured housing. Despite the tightening rules, Canada continues to see rising numbers of international students, with over 1 million active study permits issued in 2023, surpassing government targets. India and China remain the top sources of international students.
