On September 18, 2024, the Canadian government announced upcoming changes to the Canadian International Student Program, including updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit program (PGWP) and news on study permit cap levels for the coming years. Let’s take a look at the proposed changes, and how they will affect current and future international students.
Before we dive in, it’s important to remember that the full details of these changes are still evolving. As we learn more, we’ll update this post.
Note: This document is provided as information only, and is subject to change as policies are updated. This post was last updated on September 18, 2024. For official guidance relating to Canadian student visas and immigration, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, or connect with a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant.
Changes to the Canadian Study Permit Review Process for 2025
Earlier this year, the Canadian Government introduced a cap on the number of study permits which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would process in 2024 for select study programs. The government used student mobility and student outcomes data, as well as consultations with key industry partners like institutions, employers, and provinces, to adapt this process for 2025 and 2026.
Today, the government announced the study permit process for 2025 and 2026 would:
- Have a cap which is reduced from 2024 levels by 10% in 2025, meaning that study permits issued in 2025 will be capped at 437,000.
- In 2026, the intake cap will be stabilized so the number of study permits issued in 2026 will be the same as was issued in 2025.
- Be communicated in greater detail to individual provinces and territories in the coming weeks, so that these governments and institutions may plan for next year.
- Include master’s and PhD degree students in the capped levels of study.
- Exempt K-12 (primary and secondary) students from being capped.
Per the government’s news release, around 12% of allocated study permits will be reserved for students in master’s and doctoral programs. These incoming students will also have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter, which is a change from 2024.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program Changes for 2025
The Post-Graduation Work Permit program, or PGWP, is offered to new international student graduates by the Canadian Government. It allows new grads at eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) to stay and work in Canada for up to three years in their field, allowing them to build their professional network and career experience.
PGWP length varies depending on the level of study. Here’s how it worked:
- If your program was under 8 months long, you were not eligible for a PGWP.
- If your program was at least 8 months long, but shorter than 2 years, your PGWP will be valid for up to the same amount of time as your study program (a new grad from a 10 month program would receive a PGWP of up to 10 months.)
- Non-master’s degree programs which were two years or longer received a PGWP of up to three years.
- Master’s degree graduates received PGWPs of up to three years, even if their program was under two years long.
Moving forward, the PGWP program may work differently for students currently in Canada compared to those who will start their studies in 2025.
Current Students
In the announcement, it was emphasized that these changes will address ongoing challenges in the international education sector, while helping to ensure international students who are already in Canada or whose study permit has already been submitted are supported.
Future changes to the PGWP program are anticipated to be announced this fall. The government has not confirmed any specific changes impacting current international student eligibility for the PGWP program.
Future Students
Effective later this year, PGWP eligibility for students who pursue public college qualifications in Canada will be limited to study programs that meet long-term labour market demand. Identifying which programs are included on this list is a work in progress, and we’ll update this post as more details become available.
Important Note: Just because a program is PGWP-eligible, its students are not guaranteed a PGWP spot. It simply means that they may apply to PGWP after graduation.
Future graduates will also have to prove their French or English language proficiency. A Canadian Language Benchmark of level 7 for university graduates, and level 5 for college graduates, will be required for anyone who applies for PGWP on or after November 1, 2024.
Changes to Spousal Work Permits
If you’re studying in Canada or working via the PGWP program and your common-law partner or spouse is accompanying you, they may be eligible for an open work permit. Eligibility criteria for these permits will also change later this year.
As a result of this update, partners of students in master’s degree programs that are at least 16 months long will still be able to apply for a work permit. However, partners of students in shorter master’s degree programs will no longer be eligible.
Partners of students in PhD and other doctoral programs were not mentioned in the government update, so it’s likely they’ll retain their work permit eligibility.
For new graduates in the PGWP program, open work permits will only be issued to the partners of foreign workers in management or professional occupations, or in sectors with recognized labour shortages, like construction or health care.
As these policies evolve, our team will follow the updates and refresh this post to help ensure that it provides current information.
Where can I find more information?
- Official study permit information and guidance: the Government of Canada’s website
- Policy analysis, news, and sector trends: ApplyInsights
- Student-friendly strategies for the international study journey: ApplyBoard blog
