### Canada Introduces New Restrictions on International Students’ Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility
**Samaa Web Desk, October 15, 2024**
Canada has announced new restrictions on international students seeking to work after graduation, narrowing the eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to students who study in fields aligned with long-term labor shortages.
The changes, announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will take effect on **November 1, 2024**. Under the updated rules, international students applying for study permits from this date onward will need to choose academic programs in specific sectors experiencing labor shortages in order to qualify for a PGWP. This marks a shift from the more flexible approach previously allowed, limiting students’ options in selecting courses of study.
### Key Changes:
1. **Program Restrictions**: To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must select programs in one of five core sectors with ongoing labor shortages:
– Agriculture and Agri-food
– Healthcare
– STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
– Skilled Trades
– Transportation
Programs in fields such as **tourism**, **hospitality**, and **business** will **no longer** be eligible for PGWP eligibility.
2. **Work Permit Duration**: The duration of the PGWP will now match the length of the academic program the student completes. For example, a student who completes a two-year program will be eligible for a two-year PGWP.
3. **Language Proficiency Requirements**: Applicants must meet specific language standards:
– **University students** must demonstrate **Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7**.
– **College students** must meet **CLB level 5**.
Accepted language tests include:
– **CELPIP (General)**, **IELTS (General Training)**, and **PTE (Core)** for English.
– **TEF Canada** and **TCF Canada** for French.
Language test results must be no more than two years old at the time of application.
4. **Impact on Existing Students**: Students who have already applied for or hold a study permit before November 1, 2024, will still be eligible for PGWP under the old guidelines.
### Concerns Raised:
The new restrictions have sparked concerns, particularly among educators and industry leaders. **Karen Dancy**, Director of Recruitment and International at Olds College, expressed concern over the exclusion of hospitality programs, warning that this could negatively impact local communities that rely on international students for workforce support.
**Larissa Bezo**, President of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), also voiced concerns, highlighting the potential negative impact on international student recruitment, especially for colleges and polytechnics.
In 2023, **70% of international students** planned to apply for a PGWP after graduation, according to the CBIE. The new measures are part of a broader set of reforms aimed at ensuring Canada’s immigration system remains sustainable, including a **10% reduction in student visa approvals** by 2025 and stricter rules for accompanying family members.
### Broader Immigration Reforms:
The recent changes follow other ongoing shifts in Canada’s student visa policies. Among these, **financial requirements for study permits** have been doubled, and applicants must now provide proof of secured housing. Despite these tightening regulations, Canada has continued to see an increase in international students, surpassing its government targets with over **1 million active study permits** issued in 2023. The majority of international students in Canada come from **India** and **China**.
While these measures aim to strengthen Canada’s immigration system, there are concerns that the new restrictions could reduce Canada’s attractiveness as a destination for international students, particularly for those in non-eligible fields.
