Canada Removes Field of Study Requirement for PGWP: New Rules for International Students

Amid major policy changes, the Canadian government has removed the research area of ​​post-graduate work permits (PGWP), providing more opportunities for foreign students. The move was developed by the immigration, refugee and citizenship sectors to simplify regulation in the international education sector.

The ruling approved by Larissa Bezo, CEO of the International Education Agency of Canada, is that graduates of university degree programs no longer need to study in specific fields in order to qualify for PGWP.

Qualification criteria and language proficiency

Qualifications under the new regulations are required to prove their English or French proficiency. University degree holders (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees) must score 7 in all four language fields in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadaens (NCLC). College program graduates require a CLB or NCLC score of 5. These language proficiency requirements should apply to PGWP requests submitted after November 1, 2024.

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This adjustment will benefit international students applying for study permits after November 1, 2024 to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Canadian College. All graduates of all bachelor’s or master’s programs at Canadian College are eligible to apply for PGWP as long as they meet the new eligibility requirements.

Exceptions to new restrictions

There are some types of students exempt from these new restrictions:

  • Students who start learning before November 1, 2024 are exempt from research restricted areas.
  • Graduates from Flying Schools are eligible for PGWP without any limitations based on language proficiency or learning areas.
  • Many programs offered under the course licensing arrangement (after May 15, 2024) are not eligible for PGWP.

Work permit duration

The length of the work permit varies according to the duration of completion of the plan. For programs ranging from 8 months to 2 years, a work permit is granted at the same period as the program. If the program is 2 years or more, students can apply for a three-year work permit. If several procedures are completed, the merge period can be considered in some exceptions.

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Applicants shall have a valid passport throughout the eligibility period of PGWP. A work permit shall be granted only for the duration of a valid passport. When passport validity expires before the end of the entire eligibility period, PGWP extensions can be sought by ensuring appropriate validity and a new passport for paper application.

This policy shift is a significant difference from Canada’s current international student strategy, providing graduates with greater flexibility and choice to gain meaningful work experience in Canada.