Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a revision in the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules, a welcome news for foreign students. The requirement of a field-of-study for college bachelor’s and master’s programme graduates will cease to apply for a PGWP from November 1, 2024. Foreign students, especially those enrolled in college-level programmes which grant bachelor’s or master’s degrees, should now find it easier with this modification.
Previously, international students had to complete study programs in priority fields of long-term shortage occupations to qualify for a PGWP. Now, with this amendment, foreign students will have greater freedom to select programs and greater opportunity to find employment in Canada after graduation.
To be eligible, students would have to demonstrate proficiency in English or French, meeting the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7. This provision is made to ensure that foreign graduates are properly prepared for the Canadian workforce.
The change affects students pursuing college-level bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes who apply for a study permit after November 1, 2024. Nimish C, a master’s student at Fanshawe College, noted, “The new PGWP rules directly affect me… While I’m relieved that the field of study restrictions have been lifted, the language proficiency requirement is a bit daunting.”
Trishala, a University of Toronto master’s student of data science, was equally thrilled with the shift, commenting, “This is a good change, particularly for students like me who were worried about field restrictions. Now, we have freedom to study what we actually want.” But she also noted that the language requirement might prove difficult for other students.
This update favors foreign students since it offers them greater opportunities and liberty for study and work in Canada.
