8 New PGWP Changes For International Students that IRCC's Working On

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is considering eight potential changes to the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program for international students. These reforms aim to better align international students with labour market needs while reducing the overall number of PGWPholders. The proposed changes to eligibility criteria would apply to both current international students in Canada and future cohorts.

Program PGWP has been a crucial factor in attracting international students, providing work opportunities after completing their studies. However, following significant changes this year to address system abuse, a new eight-point survey has emerged, indicating further refinements to the program are being considered.

In this article, we will discuss all eight points in the survey and their potential impact on current international students in Canada and those planning to study in Canada in the future.

Based on the survey questions directed at colleges and universities, it appears that students may need to complete programs related to labour shortages and meet new language requirements to qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This suggests that programs would need to satisfy the educational prerequisites for positions expected to face labour shortages in the future.

Study programs would be classified according to Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), as indicated by the eight-point survey. For example, carpentry-related occupations might be categorized into one of three fields of study: construction trades, carpentry, or woodworking/general.

Question 1: If PGWP eligibility were restricted based solely on occupations in shortage and corresponding programs of study, which occupations should be included based on the needs in your area? Please indicate if there are any occupations in shortage that should have been reflected in the mapping document, along with your rationale.

The first question seeks input on additional jobs that should be included if PGWP eligibility is based on occupation-specific criteria, supplementing the list already mapped by IRCC and ESDC using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system.

One part of the survey suggests that study programs linked to occupations eligible for category-based selections in the Express Entry draw are more likely to be included. After gathering feedback from educational institutions across different provinces, IRCC aims to reach a consensus on adding new in-demand occupations. These would complement the occupations already listed by ESDC and IRCC and those eligible for targeted Express Entry.

Question 2: What, if any, cohorts should be exempted from these changes, such as francophone students, graduate degree programs, or others? Please indicate the rationale.

The second question of the survey is anticipated to focus on deciding exemptions if new PGWP eligibility criteria are established, such as for students with high French proficiency or those in certain degree programs. This approach is somewhat similar to previous PGWP changes, which favored Master's and PhD program graduates by granting them a three-year PGWP regardless of their program duration.

However, the new proposed changes aim to determine whether the eligibility criteria for occupation-based study programs for PGWP should include exemptions for specific degree programs or be influenced by fluency in the French language.

Question 3: Should international students be required to demonstrate proof of a job offer aligned with the occupational shortage list in order to hold a PGWP beyond one year?

This question aims to address the issue of the increasing number of temporary residents, particularly PGWP holders in Canada. If this condition is added to the PGWP, eligibility criteria, students will need to provide proof of a job offer to continue working on a PGWP. This requirement is expected to apply specifically to study programs aligned with the occupational shortage list mentioned in the first question, rather than being a universal condition for all programs.

Question 4: Should any other eligibility criteria (language, provincial support, etc.), apart from a job offer, be applied to PGWP holders seeking to extend their permit past one year?

This expands on the eligibility criteria discussed in question number 3. It suggests that students may be required to submit an additional language proficiency test and/or obtain provincial approval to continue working on a PGWP after the first year.

Question 5: What is your view of applying these labour market-based changes to PGWP eligibility to all graduates upon announcement this year, rather than grandfathering students who are already studying in Canada at the time of implementation?

The fifth point is particularly significant, as it poses a potential threat to current students already enrolled in study programs in Canada. This question suggests that labour market-based changes to PGWP eligibility could be announced this year, and the immigration department is contemplating whether to exempt existing students.

Typically, new government policies exempt current cohorts, but it seems Minister Miller is considering a more stringent approach. He aims to secure his position on this issue and is expected to base his decision on the feedback received from educational institutions in response to this question.

Question 6: How often should the occupational shortage list be revised, and at what point thereafter should it be applied to students whose studies are underway?

This question appears straightforward, considering the dynamic nature of labour market demands. The department is seeking input from stakeholders to determine the frequency of revisions for occupations in demand and when these revisions should become effective.

For instance, stakeholders are asked whether the occupation list should be revised annually, every two years, or every three years. Additionally, once the list is updated, stakeholders are prompted to consider when the changes should be implemented for students currently pursuing their studies. This might involve deciding whether the revisions should take effect from the next semester or after a six-month period following the generation of a new list.

Question 7: Do changes to the PGWP being explored align with the profiles of candidates you’d like to remain working in your jurisdictions in the long term?

This survey question seeks to assess whether the proposed eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits will effectively encourage students to remain in the region or province where their educational institution is located over the long term.

Question 8: Is your PNP PNP positioned to offer a viable pathway to permanent residence for international graduates with job offers in these key sectors? Are there any gaps between the labour market needs you have identified and your PNP existing streams? Will any PNP stream amendments be required to ensure they remain responsive to graduates and PGWP holders in specific occupations (e.g., regulated occupations)?

Question number 8 of this survey appears to focus on ensuring that students are provided with a clear pathway to permanent residency and are proactively aligned with the eligibility requirements of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in a specific province. It aims to assess whether existing PNP streams are appropriately calibrated to meet the province's labour market needs and whether reforms are necessary for certain occupations, such as regulated professions requiring licensing.

This initiative is commendable as it aims to enhance the prospects of foreign students transitioning from temporary residency to permanent residency, thus setting them up for success.

English version: https://ttnimmigration.ca/vi/en/ircc-va-8-thay-doi-moi-ve-pgwp-cho-du-hoc-sinh/