As of May 15, new rules for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility have come into effect for international students attending certain colleges in Canada. These changes impact those graduating from public-private partnerships (P3s).
New PGWP Rules in Effect
The new PGWP eligibility criteria, initially set to begin on September 1, 2024, were announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on January 22, 2024. However, IRCC moved the effective date to May 15, 2024.
The reason for this change was due to some educational institutions advancing their fall admissions to avoid the new rules. As a result, from May 15, 2024, foreign students graduating from programs offered through a public-private curriculum licensing partnership will no longer be eligible for a PGWP.
Impact on International Students in P3s
International students enrolled in a public-private partnership (P3) program, sometimes referred to as a curriculum licensing agreement, will be ineligible for a PGWP if they complete their course or study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) under these agreements. There are specific cut-off dates and conditions:
- Students who started their program before January 31, 2023, at a P3 educational institution offering instruction on behalf of a public college from a different province will not qualify for a PGWP.
- New international students who began their programs after February 1, 2023, will also be ineligible for a PGWP.
- Students enrolled in such programs before May 15, 2024, might still qualify if they were studying at a private college administered on behalf of a public institution within the same province.
General PGWP Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a PGWP, international students must graduate from a PGWP-eligible DLI in Canada and meet several criteria:
- They must have maintained full-time student status throughout their study program.
- Their study permit must have been valid within the last 180 days.
According to IRCC, the eligibility criteria for PGWPs based on the type of institution and program are as follows:
- Public post-secondary DLI (college, trade/technical institution, university): Program must be 8 months or longer, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Quebec public secondary DLI (vocational training): Program must be 900 hours or longer, leading to a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) or attestation of vocational specialization (AVS).
- Quebec CEGEP: Program must be 900 hours or longer, leading to an attestation of college studies (ACS) or a diploma of college studies (DCS).
- Quebec provincially subsidized private post-secondary or secondary DLI (vocational training): Program must be 900 hours or longer, leading to an ACS or DCS and must be provincially subsidized.
- Canadian private DLI authorized to confer degrees: The program must lead to a degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) as authorized by the province.
International students must be enrolled in eligible study programs to qualify for a PGWP. These changes underline the importance of understanding the type of institution and program when planning education in Canada.
Key Points
- As of May 15, 2024, international students in public-private partnership (P3) programs in Canada are no longer eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- The start date for these new rules was moved up from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024, to prevent institutions from advancing their admissions to avoid the new rules.
- Students graduating from P3 programs (curriculum licensing agreements) at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) will be ineligible for a PGWP if they started after January 31, 2023.
- Students who began their programs before January 31, 2023, at a P3 institution in another province, or new students starting after February 1, 2023, will not qualify for a PGWP. Exceptions might apply to students at private colleges administered on behalf of public institutions within the same province if they enrolled before May 15, 2024.
- To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must graduate from a PGWP-eligible DLI, maintain full-time student status, and have a valid study permit within the last 180 days. Specific requirements vary based on the type of institution and program.
FAQs
How do I know if my course is eligible for PGWP in Canada?
To qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you need to fulfill all the following criteria: Your program must be at least 8 months or 900 hours in duration and must result in one of the following qualifications: diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or diploma of vocational studies (DVS) in English.
What is the minimum requirement for PGWP?
To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a foreign national must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have studied full-time in Canada in a program that is at least 8 months long.
Can I apply for PGWP without a completion letter?
You don’t need the credential (such as a diploma or certificate) or the official transcript from the Office of the Registrar in order to apply for a PGWP.
Does GPA matter for PGWP?
The PGWP does not require a minimum GPA, unlike the student work permit in Canada, which necessitates a GPA of 2.0.