In a notable decision, the Canadian government has eliminated the study area prerequisite for international students seeking a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This adjustment is relevant for students who submitted applications for a study permit following November 1, 2024, to enroll in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program at any Canadian college.
In the past, international students completing their studies at Canadian colleges had to fulfill certain field of study criteria to qualify for a PGWP. However, this obligation has now been removed, aligning college students with university graduates who were previously exempt from these limitations.
New PGWP Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must meet the following language proficiency requirements:
- University graduates (bachelor’s, masters, doctoral): Must meet a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French.
- College program graduates: Must meet a minimum CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in French.
- These requirements apply to PGWP applications submitted after November 1, 2024.
Special Exemptions and Considerations
Certain students are exempt from these new restrictions, including:
- Students who commenced their studies before November 1, 2024: No limitations based on the field of study apply.
- Flight school graduates: Remain eligible for PGWP without any restrictions related to language proficiency or field of study.
- Programs under curriculum licensing agreements (effective after May 15, 2024): Generally, these programs do not qualify for PGWP.
Duration of Work Permit
The duration of a student’s work permit depends on the length of the completed program. For programs lasting between 8 months and 2 years, the work permit is issued for the same duration as the program. If the program is 2 years or longer, the student can apply for a three-year work permit. This change is expected to provide international students with greater flexibility when transitioning from education to employment in Canada.
