Canada Announces New Eligibility Criteria for Post-Graduate Work Permits

By Kai October 9, 2024
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In recent weeks, the Canadian government unveiled significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs), set to take effect on November 1, 2024. This announcement has been eagerly anticipated by various stakeholders in the education sector.

The updated requirements will impact graduates from college-level programmes and certain university programmes. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a list of 966 eligible programmes categorised into five fields: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), trade, and transport. Graduates of these programmes must apply for their PGWPs after the new guidelines are implemented.

Importantly, the new criteria do not affect those graduating from university bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programmes, who remain eligible for PGWPs of up to three years. However, the criteria will apply to graduates from other university programmes.

Additionally, new language requirements have been introduced for all PGWP applicants. University graduates must achieve a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all language skills. College graduates will require a minimum CLB 5 or NCLC 5.

This announcement comes amid the federal government’s decision to limit international study permits, aiming to reduce temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s total population by 2026.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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