Quebec students, both current and prospective, will soon be disqualified for the country’s prized post-graduation employment visa.
Hence, the international students studying at unsubsidized private colleges in Quebec will no longer be eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWP) beginning September 1, 2023, according to the Canadian federal government.
Only graduates from public and subsidized private universities are eligible to apply for the PGWP, according to the Quebec government’s request to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
“Making the change to post-graduation work permit eligibility that Quebec requested will improve the programme’s integrity, bring Quebec’s private institutions closer to those of other provinces, and protect our well-deserved reputation as a destination of choice for international students,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Since 2018, unsubsidized private educational institutions have attracted a substantial number of overseas students. Approximately, 4,900 international students acquired a study visa for one of these colleges between 2016 and 2018.
Between 2019 and 2021, the number increased to 11,500.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) grants students, who have completed an approved Canadian designated learning institution, an open work permit that allows them to work for any company, anywhere in Canada.
You will not be eligible for a PGWP if your programme is shorter than 8 months long.
For programmes ranging from 8 months to 2 years, the PGWP will be valid for the duration of your programme (e.g., a 10-month programme will result in a 10-month PGWP)
PGWP will be valid for three years for programmes lasting longer than two years.
For more than one programme: You may be able to combine your Canadian educational programmes to get a PGWP as long as the programmes remain DLI eligible and they are over 8 months in duration. The total length of the PGWP will correspond to the durations above.
Meanwhile, Indians have continued to benefit the most from PR and student visas. As of December 31, 2021, Canada had approximately 622,000 international students, with Indians accounting for 217,410 of them.
