The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is now available for international students who complete their post-secondary studies online.
As the world continues to work through the pandemic, Canada has ultimately decided to ease the requirements for their international students whose education has been largely affected by the measures taken to combat the spread of COVID-19.
International students who complete 100 percent of their post-secondary studies online may now be eligible for the PGWP without having to physically complete their studies in Canada.
Prior to this announcement, online learning did not count towards PGWP eligibility. However, as the pandemic persisted, Canada slowly began easing requirements for international students unable to attend physical classes due to health and safety protocols, travel restrictions, and border closures.
In August of last year, Canada announced that they would allow students to remain eligible for the permit as long as they were able to complete 50 percent of their studies in Canada.
With this new announcement, international students who have had to defer their studies to remain eligible for a PGWP may now complete their education despite the pandemic.
In a statement to the press, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino assured international students,
“This new policy means that students hoping to work in Canada after graduation won’t miss out on opportunities, while ensuring that our economy and society continue to benefit from all that international students bring. Our message to international students and graduates is simple: we don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here.”
The PGWP allows students who have completed an eligible program from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada to obtain a two to three-year work permit after they have graduated. The duration of the permit is determined by the length of time a student has studied in a DLI.
It is highly sought after by many international students who wish to become permanent residents and take advantage of the job opportunities available to them in Canada, allowing them to gain work experience in the country. Candian education and work experience can lead to eligibility and additional points in certain immigration pathways that lead to permanent residency.
Prior to this new measure, Canada also announced their intention to allow PGWPs to be renewable for up to 18 months, particularly for those whose permits had expired during the pandemic or were about to expire.
According to this new measure, international students remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit if they can comply with the following requirements:
- They are enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program.
- Their study program begins between the spring 2020 and fall 2021 semesters. This is also applicable to students whose programs began in March 2020, when Canada began lockdown.
International students must also meet other eligibility criteria, including needing an approved study permit.
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