Recently, the Canadian government implemented some changes in its Post-Graduation Work Permit program since it is one of the main steps taken to ensure that the country shows how serious it is about the attraction of global talent.
The new eligibility criteria, such as these, take effect starting November 1, 2024. Here, we explore all of these changes and ways through which international students may be able to benefit from the newly introduced rules to have a successful career in Canada.
Know PGWP Changes 2024
The Post-Graduation Work Permit is a perfect post-graduation opportunity for international students after completing their studies in Canada. In essence, this permit would allow them to experience work and increase their chances of soon converting their status to permanent residency, which also has a work requirement. More recently, updates have been made to further tighten criteria, notably concerning fields of study.
The PGWP will be aligned to fit in with Canada’s National Occupational Classification and the newly developed groups within Express Entry, all on the basis of the labour market needs of each national state. Students in highly needed areas like agriculture, healthcare, STEM, trade, and transport stand a better chance at work permit acquisition and employment relevance.
Eligibility for Different Fields
International students must now graduate in any of the following fields for them to be eligible to a PGWP under the new guidelines.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Under this category, there fall programs like Agricultural Business and Management (CIP 01.0101) and Animal/Livestock Husbandry (CIP 01.0302). Such programs support the agriculture sector growing in Canada. This enables graduates to have chances to work in areas like farm management, crop science, and food production.
- Healthcare
- Some of the CIPs for which work permits are being issued include Special Education and Teaching (CIP 13.1001) and Physical Therapy Assistant (CIP 51.0806).
- Health care has always been in high demand, and Canada has health-related gaps in areas from nursing to medical technology.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- The CIPs under the category of STEM programs include Chemical Engineering (CIP 14.0701) and Computer Programming (CIP 11.0201).
- These graduates can be placed in high-tech sectors, research and engineering sectors, which will boost Canada’s competitiveness in the world.
- Trades
- Skilled trades in Plumbing Technology CIP 46.0503 and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Maintenance CIP 47.0201 are of top priority.
- There is a critical shortage of skilled trades in Canada; the international graduate intake is vital to fill out the places in the country.
- Transportation
- These areas include Air Traffic Control (CIP 49.0105) and Commercial Vehicle Operation (CIP 49.0205), which are core industries for the sustenance of an effective transportation infrastructure in Canada.
- Pilot, truck driver, logistics manager- these fields become potential employment opportunities for graduates
Some of the world’s large industries are also included in these areas for the Canadian economy, while their international graduates are perfectly located to contribute to its job market.
PGWP New Language Requirement
Besides the requirements in the field of study, students also need to achieve certain standards of language proficiency in order to qualify for the PGWP. Requirements vary depending on the level of study:
- University Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree:
- Establish CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Fields of Study that are eligible
- Other University Programs:
- The same language requirements as above apply, but only graduates in eligible fields of study may be considered.
- College Programs:
- Must be able to demonstrate CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) in all four language areas.
- Must graduate from a program in an eligible field of study.
- Such language requirements ensure that foreign graduates have the communication ability that will help them be well-integrated into the workforce of Canada.
The Process to Find CIP Code
To determine if your program is eligible for a PGWP, you will have to look up the CIP code of the program. The CIP is actually a system used to classify educational programs in Canada.
Here’s how you can find your CIP code:
- Look up the 2021 CIP at the Statistics Canada website.
- Search using the keywords associated with your course.
- Browse through the subcategories related to your area of study.
- Select the appropriate subcategory whose description of your program applies
- Read all the information in this brochure to find out if you are eligible for the PGWP.
- Get a CIP code When you apply for a work permit, be sure to use a CIP code so that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada accepts your program for immigration purposes.
Benefits of New Rules
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program has improved to offer several advantages to international students as mentioned below.
- Access to in-demand jobs: Graduates in the eligible fields are now entitled to work in the in-demand industries, including the healthcare, agricultural, and technology sectors in Canada.
- Path to Permanent Residency: Experience under the PGWP can place graduates into the Canadian Experience Class, among other immigration programs.
- This means that one characteristic of the PGWP program is that it does not require graduates to present themselves with a job offer while applying, which enables its holders to look for other employment opportunities once their working permit is issued.
- For spouses or common-law partners who are accompanying a holder of a PGWP, normally, they can get a work permit that can permit both spouses to seek employment while in the land.
- International graduates contribute to the Canadian economy by enhancing Canada’s labour force, hence strengthening itself further and stimulating economic growth in key sectors.
Conclusion
The Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit updates further exciting opportunities for international students, especially in a field related to the needs of the country’s labour market. Canada attracted the world’s best talent by concentrating on high-demand sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, STEM, and trades.
For those students studying in Canada, or who have, it is important to note these changes for more opportunities for them. International graduates can easily transform from students to professionals with eligibility and language proficiency in either English and/or French.
