Changes to PGWP, SOWP and Study Permits (September 18)

[Naturgrl]

Starting November 1, more changes are coming….

• announcing a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025
  • For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000
• updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
• limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration
• limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
• Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
• As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. This will increase their ability to transition to permanent residence and adapt to changing economic conditions. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024.
• The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...sidence-programs-for-sustainable-volumes.html

 

[MHtoAB]

Starting November 1, more changes are coming….

• limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...sidence-programs-for-sustainable-volumes.html

Do you think this includes spouses of PGWP holders? I have a job offer as an assistant professor (university) and will soon apply for a PGWP. I assume that this job will be covered under "management or professional occupations," right?

 

[akash08]

Starting November 1, more changes are coming….

• announcing a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025
  • For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000
• updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
• limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration
• limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
• Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
• As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. This will increase their ability to transition to permanent residence and adapt to changing economic conditions. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024.
• The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...sidence-programs-for-sustainable-volumes.html

Will Masters students continue to have a PGWP eligibility of 3 years?

 

[Naturgrl]

Will Masters students continue to have a PGWP eligibility of 3 years?

Current students, probably yes. New intakes will be eligible if program is more than 18 months.

 

[rcincanada2019]

Starting November 1, more changes are coming….

• announcing a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025
  • For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000
• updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
• limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration
• limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
• Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
• As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. This will increase their ability to transition to permanent residence and adapt to changing economic conditions. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024.
• The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...sidence-programs-for-sustainable-volumes.html

A full 180-degrees from the very ambitious immigration target just about a year ago...

 

[Copingwithlife]

A full 180-degrees from the very ambitious immigration target just about a year ago...

….A 10% reduction is really nothing

Just to grab headlines

 

[rcincanada2019]

….A 10% reduction is really nothing

Just to grab headlines

the libs trying to stay politically correct, perhaps?

 

[Wrose]

Starting November 1, more changes are coming….

• announcing a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025
  • For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000
• updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
• limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration
• limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
• Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
• As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. This will increase their ability to transition to permanent residence and adapt to changing economic conditions. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024.
• The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...sidence-programs-for-sustainable-volumes.html

Can international students currently enrolled and actively studying in Canada change school on the irrc account after receiving their LOA & PAL or they have to still apply for a new study permit whiles still studying in school

 

[canuck78]

the libs trying to stay politically correct, perhaps?

Likely trying to find a balance of reduction and not ruining Canada’s reputation as a place to study abroad.

 

[canuck78]

Can international students currently enrolled and actively studying in Canada change school on the irrc account after receiving their LOA & PAL or they have to still apply for a new study permit whiles still studying in school

If you’ve completed a semester you don’t need new PAL or study permit

 

[user94531]

Current students, probably yes. New intakes will be eligible if program is more than 18 months.

Has there been any update on this?

AFAIR, last update was if the Master's program is at least 8 months(2 semesters), the candidate is eligible for a full 3-yr PGWP.

 

[Wrose]

If you’ve completed a semester you don’t need new PAL or study permit

I need clarification, currently enrolled in a college at BC province for almost 3 weeks and I have gotten another skilled trade course in Ontario province. The school is requesting for a deposit and issue me a new LOA and PAL, which I don’t have any issue. My problem is with the new proposal, after paying the deposit and being issued my the new LOA and PAL, can I swiftly change on my IRCC account to effect change/transfer of school as required or I have to submit a new application altogether to be issued a new study permit based on the new proposed regulations or laws being released

 

[Naturgrl]

I need clarification, currently enrolled in a college at BC province for almost 3 weeks and I have gotten another skilled trade course in Ontario province. The school is requesting for a deposit and issue me a new LOA and PAL, which I don’t have any issue. My problem is with the new proposal, after paying the deposit and being issued my the new LOA and PAL, can I swiftly change on my IRCC account to effect change/transfer of school as required or I have to submit a new application altogether to be issued a new study permit based on the new proposed regulations or laws being released

You need to complete one semester at the BC (pay tuition, attend) school to change DLIs without a new study permit. That rule has not changed and been in place for a few years.

 

[Wrose]

You need to complete one semester at the BC (pay tuition, attend) school to change DLIs without a new study permit. That rule has not changed and been in place for a few years.

I’ve paid the first semester tuition and do attend classes on regularly basis. I don’t miss classes. The new program at Ontario starts in January 2025. If that is the case then am ok. Because there are circulations the update that came restrict international students currently enrolled not to change school and have to complete their studies and apply for a new program with new study permit

 

[rcincanada2019]

Likely trying to find a balance of reduction and not ruining Canada’s reputation as a place to study abroad.

The government needs to step up in managing the international students. A lot of international students are not attending their classes, and would only show up during exams. Some do pass their exams but others don't. Then complain to high heavens why the DLIs failed them and that it is affecting their mental health as well as their chances for PGWP!

There should be a mechanism in place like requiring mandatory attendance check for international students.