Canada will revise its post-graduation work permit (PGWP) rules from November 1, 2024, introducing stricter language requirements and field of study conditions for international students.

In Short

·      Canada updates PGWP rules from November, adding stricter language and field of study requirements

·      Language proficiency tests like CELPIP, IELTS, and TEF Canada now mandatory for PGWP

·      Canadian government reduces 2025 study permit target by 10 per cent from 2024’s cap

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be implementing new rules for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme starting November 1, 2024. These changes include updated language requirements, proof of language ability, and field of study conditions for applicants.

As part of the revised PGWP regulations, candidates will now need to provide proof of their language proficiency when submitting their applications. For English, the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) will be used, while French proficiency will be assessed using the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC).

Candidates can submit their language test results from recognised tests such as the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), IELTS, or PTE Core for English.

For French, the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) and Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) will be accepted. Importantly, test results should be less than two years old at the time of application and cover skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Field of Study Requirement Updated

In addition to language proof, the revised guidelines include specific field of study requirements. This means that if a candidate’s programme of study has a field requirement, they must have graduated from a course that aligns with particular occupations facing long-term shortages in Canada.

The eligible fields are broadly categorised into agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trade, and transport.

Old Regulations Still Applicable

The new rules will apply to all PGWP applications from November 1, but the existing regulations regarding general eligibility and physical location will continue.

Applicants must still complete their studies at a designated learning institution (DLI) that is PGWP-eligible, and meet all other requirements that were in place before.

The announcement comes soon after Canada’s decision on September 19 to further reduce the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025.

To manage the growing volume of temporary resident arrivals, the government has set a new target based on a 10 per cent reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 study permits.

This combination of changes is part of Canada’s broader strategy to control international student numbers and streamline its immigration policies.