IRCC’s first review of PGWP will happen soon, with several changes being brought to the International Student Program. These changes are initiatives to protect students from falling prey to fraudulent activities.
These initiatives will demand Designated Learning Institutions to approve the Letter of Acceptance through IRCC. As a result, only students with genuine Letters of Acceptance will be able to access study permits.
Besides, by October 2024, IRCC will function through a Recognized Institution Framework that will offer an advantage to DLIs in various ways. This will include fast-tracking the study permit’s processing of applications.
IRCC also declared that in the upcoming months, they will complete the evaluation of the Post-Graduation Work Permit requirements. This implies it will also start launching reforms to adjust it to the requirements of the Canadian labor market in a better way. In addition, it will fulfill the Francophone and regional objectives.
This review of the program will be the first one in ten years.
IRCC’s first review of PGWP to happen soon – what is PGWP?
International students who are able to complete an eligible post-secondary program will have the chance to apply for a PGWP. A Post-Graduation Work Permit will benefit you significantly by allowing you to work for any employer in Canada. This permit has a validity of three years, depending upon the duration of the Canadian educational program.
One of the crucial advantages of the PGWP is that it enables students to gain relevant work experience in Canada. Gaining considerable work experience in Canada is vital to PGWP holders if they seek to apply for Canadian immigration.
Several different pathways in Canada reward applicants who have either gained work experience or studied in the country. Typically, PGWP holders require at least one year of work experience in NOC codes 0, A, and B. After this, they will have the chance to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.
PGWP Essential Eligibility Conditions
International students must ensure the following things if they seek eligibility for a PGWP:
- Completion of an eight-month length program from a DLI. This could be an academic, vocational, or professional training program. In addition, the study program you opt for must provide you with a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- During each academic session of the study program, you must possess a full-time study status. This must also be a part of the PGWP application.
Candidates must have graduated from the following-
- A public Post-Secondary institution including a college, a trade, a technical school, a university, and CEGEP in Quebec.
- Quebec’s private post-secondary with equivalent rules as the public schools of Quebec.
- A private or post-secondary school in Quebec offering eligible programs of 900 hours duration or beyond that. These result in being issued either a DEP or an ASP.
- A private school in Canada awarding degrees through provincial law. However, the student must have a study program enrollment leading to a degree with provincial authority.
Essentially, Canada has removed the full-time student requirement during the pandemic phase for specific international students. However, this will apply to students who began their studies between the 2020 springtime and summertime in 2022. This also includes those students who were in the middle of the study program in March 2020. Additionally, exceptions must adhere to those who were absent in the final academic session.
PGWP’s progress
Statistics Canada’s study of 2022 revealed that the number of people with PGWPs has increased each year. According to the latest study, 29 percent of the graduates in 2008 collectively had a PGWP in the preceding five years of graduation. However, in 2013, there were 52 percent of graduates.
The latest data revealed that the overall number of PGWP holders from 2008 to 2018 showed an increase. This implies a rise from 10,300 to 64,700.
Statistics Canada claims that the reason behind the increasing popularity of the PGWP is that it enables international students to earn in Canada. On the other hand, median incomes from PGWP holders have risen immensely between 2008 and 2018.
In 2008, most PGWP holders were from China and India. This indicates 51 percent of all those with PGWPs. Later on, by 2018, this percentage increased to 66 percent in China and India.
Toward the end of 2022, over 286,000 international graduates belonged to Canada with a valid PGWP. Additionally, tens of thousands of students with PGWPs successfully moved to Canadian PR each year. This implies a record-breaking figure of 157,000 PGWP holders in 2021. Also, in 2022, this figure increased by 95,000, making it the second-highest figure of all time.
If you still have questions related to the Post-Graduation Work Permit, you can access all relevant details through Make Home Canada’s immigration consultants. Write to us at [email protected]
