In a recent letter sent to all provinces, the Canadian government consulted them on anticipated changes to the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program. This programme benefits all international students. However, the government emphasised in the letter that the changes aim to “align PGWP eligibility with labour market needs while reducing the overall volume of PGWP holders.”
The letter further indicates that restrictions will be implemented once consultations are concluded. This has raised concerns among current international students about the potential impact of labour-market-based changes to PGWP eligibility for all graduates once announced this year.
If the policy adjustments are immediate, it could be a shock for many. In January, there was an unexpected cap on the enrollment numbers of international students. This means students might face the prospect of being restricted from the PGWP if their area of study does not prepare them for industries where there is a labour force requirement.
The provinces were also asked multiple other questions, including:
The number of work permits issued to workers last year, which was 949,270, represents an increase of 266% over the past eight years. The number of international students at the end of 2023, which was over 1 million at all study levels, A 2021 survey indicated that 72.5% of students intended to apply for the PGWP and 60% planned to apply for permanent residency subsequently.
An immediate policy change affecting students already invested in Canada would be a shock, but similar swift decisions have previously occurred in the UK and Australia.
