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. Then, on October 4, they shared more detailed information about how PGWP eligibility will change. Let’s take a look at the proposed updates, 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 October 4, 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 for new international student graduates by the Canadian Government. It allows new grads at eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) to apply to stay and work in Canada for up to three years in their field, enabling 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, PGWP program eligibility will work differently for students who submitted their study permit application before November 1, 2024, and those who submit their application after that date.
Current Students and Study Permit Applicants
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.
International students who are currently enrolled in a study program or who have not yet started classes but who submit their study permit application before November 1, 2024 will be required to meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements for English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French proficiency when they apply for PGWP. Language proficiency test results must be less than two years old when the PGWP application is submitted.
As of November 1, 2024, anyone who applies for PGWP will require a CLB or NCLC score of at least level 7 for university graduates, and level 5 for college graduates. This is the only new PGWP requirement for current students and those who have already submitted their study permit application.
Study Permit Applicants After November 1, 2024
Future international students who submit their Canadian study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, will also have to meet new PGWP requirements which relate to their level of study. Let’s take a closer look at the updated eligibility requirements for different program levels.
Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree program:
- Meet criteria for CLB or NCLC at level 7 or higher in all language areas.
- No additional field of study requirement.
Any other university program (e.g. certificates or diplomas):
- Meet criteria for CLB or NCLC at level 7 or higher in all language areas.
- Study program must be in a PGWP-eligible field of study.
College program, or any other program not listed above:
- Meet criteria for CLB or NCLC at level 5 or higher in all language areas.
- Study program must be in a PGWP-eligible field of study.
When a new grad applies to PGWP, their language proficiency test results must be dated within the last two years.
While there are nearly a thousand different fields of study which are eligible for PGWP, these fields fit into five larger categories: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, trade, transport, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.
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.
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
