Master's Students in Canada Now Qualify for 3-Year Work Permits!

There is exciting news for all international students doing their masters in Canada. You are now eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP)! Usually, the duration of a PGWP matched the length of the study program. However, due to recent policy changes, international students can now benefit from an extra year for working legally under PGWP in Canada.

The new rules by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will have a strong impact on students doing master's in Canada. Acknowledging the strong potential of master's students in the labour market, (IRCC) has expanded eligibility criteria. This will pave the way for enhanced career opportunities and gaining work experience in Canada.

The length of post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) for students in programs of study other than at the master's level will continue to correspond with the length of the study program. This ensures that all students, regardless of their level of education, receive fair treatment in terms of work permit duration. The maximum length for these permits remains capped at three years, providing a consistent framework for post-graduation opportunities.

Exciting news for students attending PGWP-eligible DLIs

Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are the only ones authorised to accept international students in Canada. Students enrolled in DLIs with at least two years in length programs are now eligible for an extended three-year PGWP.

Changes in Spousal Work Permit Eligibility for International Students

IRCC is planning to adjust the rules regarding spousal work permits for international students studying at the undergraduate level. Following these changes, only spouses of students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs will be eligible for a spousal work permit. Please be aware that this change will not impact spousal open work permits granted to the spouses or conjugal partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Minimum requirements for PGWP eligibility

International students must meet the following criteria to qualify for a PGWP:

• Complete studies in an academic, vocational, or professional training program lasting at least eight months at a designated learning institution (DLI) eligible for PGWP issuance.
• Enrollment in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate
• Full-time student status in Canada throughout every academic session of the completed program(s) of study, as indicated on the PGWP application, with certain exceptions permitted.
• Receipt of a transcript and an official letter from an eligible DLI confirming fulfillment of program requirements is essential for the PGWP application.

Students must have graduated from a DLI, which includes various types of educational institutions such as:

• Public post-secondary institutions like colleges, trade or technical schools, and universities. CEGEPs in Quebec.
• Private post-secondary schools in Quebec operating under the same regulations as public schools or private secondary/post-secondary schools in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer resulting in diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) or attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP).
• Canadian private schools authorised by provincial law to grant degrees (e.g., Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate) if the student was enrolled in a degree program approved by the province.

No PGWP for Private College Students

As of a new policy by IRCC, students attending private colleges are no longer eligible to apply for a PGWP. This decision impacts students enrolled in programs offered by private institutions, effectively restricting their ability to obtain work permits after completing their studies. With this shift, students must now consider alternative pathways for securing post-graduation employment opportunities in Canada.

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