The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the best ways for international students to explore career opportunities in the country after completing their education. In 2024, the government introduced several changes to the program for two main purposes. First, they wanted to prevent the abuse of the program. Second, they want to align the entry of international students with the current labour market needs of the country.
The IRCC, however, conducted a survey on the changes to refine the program for eligible international students. Whether you are an international student living in Canada or want to study in Canada, the survey can come in handy to you during immigration.
A Detailed Survey of Changes in the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program
According to the survey, students need to complete programs that align with the country’s labour shortages and satisfy the language requirements. These are the main criteria for international students to qualify for PGWP once their education is complete. The survey also confirmed that the study programs would be categorized according to Canada’s NOC or National Occupational Classification.
Now let’s check out the questions brought forth in the survey.
PGWP eligibility is allegedly limited on the basis of the shortage of occupations and the subsequent programs of study. In that case, which occupations would be included on the basis of a specific area’s needs?
IRCC and ESDC have added certain jobs based on the shortage of occupations using the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs)system. This question asks if any more jobs are to be added to the list. We can expect IRCC to add new occupations that are in demand after hearing back from educational institutions.
Are there any exceptions to the changes in PGWP eligibility such as for graduate degree programs or francophone students?
The survey wants to clarify the exceptions to the new PGWP eligibility criteria. Earlier, Master’s and PhD students were exempted from the PGWP changes. Similarly, the occupation-based study program eligibility changes might be not applicable to specific degree programs or consider French-language proficiency.
Is it mandatory for international students to show proof of a job offer even if it aligns with the occupational shortage list for a PGWP with a validity of over one year?
There has been a sharp increase in the number of temporary residents who are also PGWP holders. If this is a deciding factor in PGWP eligibility criteria, international students need to submit job offer proof to be able to continue working on PGWP. This is applicable to the study programs that will align with the occupational shortage list.
Are there any other eligibility criteria besides a job offer that PGWP holders can seek to extend the permit beyond one year?
This question suggests that students may have to go through another language proficiency test or submit a provincial approval document. This would be necessary for some students to continue working on PGWP beyond the first year.
What about applying labour market-based changes to PGWP eligibility for all graduates rather than for the ones already studying in Canada?
New government policies usually are not applicable to students already living and studying in Canada. This year, 2024, the immigration minister is ready to make a change.
The labour market eligibility criteria are going to change this year. However, the immigration department is still trying to decide whether or not to exclude existing students from these changes or not.
The Minister wants to maintain a stable and non-biased position. Thus, he is most likely to make the decision based on the responses brought forth by educational institutions.
How frequently will the occupational shortage list be revised and how will that impact students who are already pursuing higher studies in the country?
The labour market in Canada keeps changing and so do the associated rules and laws. The department wants to know the exact frequency of the revisions and the time they should be effective.
Do the recent changes to the PGWP align with the candidates’ profiles whom you would want to keep working in your jurisdiction for the long term?
This question aims to find out if the new changes to the PGWP eligibility will retain students in the province or region of the educational institution.
Can the PNP provide a viable pathway for international students to attain their PR if they have job offers in the key sectors? Will the government bring changes to the PNP so they are responsive to PGWP holders and graduates in specific occupations? What about the gaps between PNP’s existing streams and the labour market needs?
This ensures that international students align with the labour market needs of the PNP and apply for permanent residence. The question also clarifies if the existing PNP streams align with the province’s labour market needs or if they need any kind of reforms.
Do You Need Help with the PGWP Program?
The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the best ways for international students to study and work in Canada. However, the recent occupation-based eligibility criteria and other changes to the program can confuse some of you. In that case, experienced immigration consultants like the ones at Onkar Immigration can guide you throughout the application process and make you aware of the changes.
The Federal Government in Canada may develop several pathways for undocumented migrant workers very soon in the coming month. This initiative is the result of a mandate letter sent by the Canadian Prime Minister to the former immigration minister, Sean Fraser in 2021. It is great news for all migrants with or without a legal status. They can apply for PR even if their permits have expired or they lack supporting migration documents.
What Gave Rise to the Permanent Residency Plans for Migrants?
In 2021, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau sent a mandate letter to Sean Fraser, the former immigration minister. The letter highlighted the importance of regularizing PR status for undocumented migrants residing in Canada and facing the risk of deportation. It also stated that the government needs to rebuild the existing pilot programs and help out the undocumented workers who contribute to Canadian communities.
In September 2023, legal or illegal migrants including students, undocumented people and refugees protested in Canadian cities to demand PR status for all. They demanded the government create an unbiased permanent residency program for all those migrants who have been working and living with their families in the country while facing the threat of deportation.
What is the Canadian Government Planning to do?
The Canadian Government is now planning to run cabinet debates during the summer session of the Parliament. Marc Miller, the Canadian Immigration Minister, brought forth a proposal which reflects how migrants without a legal status can attain permanent residency in the country. The illegal migrants also include former international students whose study permits have expired.
This is particularly unique news since Canada has already put a two-year ban on the admission of international students beyond a specific number. Public support for migration has come down recently as the influx of newcomers has created housing problems in the country.
The executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, Syed Hussan, however, said that regularizing the PR status of undocumented migrants will NOT affect the housing crisis. On the contrary, the change could improve the country’s economy.
Final Thoughts,
Marc Miller plans to present and discuss the proposal in the cabinet this spring 2024. We can expect the country to consider migrants who are eligible for PR status and provide them with the necessary help. This demand to legalize undocumented migrant workers or students has been consistent for quite a few years. Radio-Canada, for instance, talked about the need to regularize undocumented migrant workers in October 2022.
IRCC launched a series of international student program reforms in 2024 to curb the unsustainable growth of international students. Ottawa, for instance, put a two-year limit on study permit applications. Similarly, the government revealed that international students pursuing a one-year Master’s program in Canada will be eligible for up to three years of post-graduate work permit. This short duration of the Master’s program made it highly popular among students dreaming of making Canada their next study destination.
You would want to know what’s in store for you if you enroll in the one-year Master’s program in Canada. Let’s shed some light on the update.
One-Year Master’s Program Benefits for International Students
This newly introduced reform has increased the demand for one-year Master’s programs from all over the world. The short duration of these programs gives you enough time to garner relevant professional experience. Also, the three-year PGWP makes it easier for you to achieve that. Let’s check out the benefits in detail below.
PGWP for up to three years
The one-year Master’s program allows eligible students to apply for a three-year PGWP. That’s quite a significant time for students to gain work experience for a fruitful career in the country.
Opportunities for spouses
The IRCC also revealed that common-law partners or spouses of international students applying for a Master’s or any professional degree are eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit or SOWP. If you have enrolled in the one-year master’s program, the new reform lets you bring your spouse to the country.
Fulfilling and cost-effective learning
The short timeframe of a one-year Master’s program focuses on specific details related to the subject. The students can get over with the course and join the workforce quickly. It is also cost-expensive as compared to the 2-year Masters degree programs.
Better chances at PR
Students graduating from the one-year Master’s program have higher chances of getting a permanent residency as compared to the two-year programs. Ontario, for instance, offers a Master’s Graduate Stream specifically for permanent residency.
Which Universities Offer One-Year Master’s Graduate Program?
Currently, the one-year master’s program is available at these universities:
For students looking to enroll in one-year master's programs in Canada for the Fall 2024 intake, several universities offer diverse options. Here's a summary of some key institutions and their programs:
Toronto Metropolitan University:
Offers a variety of one-year master's programs such as the Master of Interior Design, Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement Studies, and Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics.
Trent University:
Provides programs like the Master of Management, Master of Education in Educational Studies, and Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies.
University of Alberta:
Notable programs include the Master of Engineering in various specializations and a fast-track Master of Business Administration with focuses such as Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment.
University of Ottawa:
Offers a one-year Master of Business Administration program.
University of Manitoba:
Known for its Master of Finance and Master of Business Administration programs.
University of Windsor:
Offers a Master of Applied Computing and a Master of Education, among others.
University of Victoria:
Programs include the Master of Global Business and Master of Management.
Are you a student who is looking to pursue a Master’s program in 2024? The Canadian Government offers a lucrative opportunity through the one-year Master’s Graduate Program. Certified immigration consultants can assess your eligibility and help you enrol in the program.
The Canadian Government brings good news to those who couldn’t get citizenship due to the first-generation limit in the 2009 Citizenship Act. On 23rd May 2024, they launched Bill C-71 to make the citizenship process easier and fair for all. The new legislation lets eligible citizens claim Canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. It extends citizenship to those born to a Canadian parent but resides outside of the country through the second and subsequent generations. This blog sheds some light on Bill C-71 in Canadian Citizenship Laws so you can make the most of this opportunity if eligible.
What is the Bill C-71 all About?
Bill C-71 makes the Canadian Citizenship Laws more favourable to the country’s citizens based on their descent.
The government came up with Bill C-71, which serves two purposes:
Grant immediate citizenship to all who were devoid of this opportunity solely because of the first-generation limit
Extend access to Canadian citizenship beyond the first-generation
Prior to the announcement, the Citizenship Act only let parents transfer citizenship to their first-generation children. Thus, Canadian parents born outside Canada weren’t allowed to transfer citizenship to their child if it was born outside the country. If the Canadian parents adopted a kid from outside the country, they too couldn’t apply for a direct grant of citizenship due to the act.
Keeping the problems in mind, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave instructions to the Government to make the amendments to the act. They concluded the act was unconstitutional since it gave rise to two classes of Canadians.
What are the New Changes to Canadian Citizenship Laws?
Do you have a parent with Canadian citizenship?
Then the new legislation to the Canadian Citizenship Laws would make it 10X easier for you to acquire citizenship.
Without further ado, let’s check out the changes.
Bill C-71, introduced by the Canadian government, proposes significant changes to the Citizenship Act, particularly focusing on citizenship by descent. This legislation aims to extend Canadian citizenship to individuals born abroad to Canadian parents beyond the first generation, which was previously restricted by a 2009 amendment. This means that children born to Canadian parents who were also born outside of Canada will now be eligible for citizenship if their parents can demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada, defined as having spent at least three years in Canada before the child's birth or adoption
Additionally, Bill C-71 seeks to address the issue of "Lost Canadians"—individuals who lost or never acquired citizenship due to outdated legal provisions. The proposed changes will restore citizenship to these individuals and their descendants. This includes providing automatic citizenship to those born outside Canada to a Canadian parent before the legislation comes into force.
The bill is designed to create a more inclusive and fair system, allowing more individuals to claim their rightful Canadian citizenship and ensuring that the rules are transparent and equitable. If passed, these changes will rectify long-standing issues and align the Citizenship Act with contemporary values of fairness and inclusivity.
Who are the Lost Canadians?
The Conservative Government of Canada brought forth a new regulation to the Citizenship Act in 2009. This confirmed that a person’s eligibility for citizenship doesn’t depend on their strong links to Canada. The regulation did not allow Canadian citizens born outside of Canada to pass citizenship to their children also born outside the country. Also, parents had to sponsor their second-generation children to enter the country and apply for permanent residence as any other immigrant.
Several Canadians got lost amidst the complexities of this new regulation and couldn’t get the citizenship they deserved. They are considered the “Lost Canadians”
What about the Bill S-245 in Canadian Citizenship?
Bill S-245, titled "An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians)," aims to address issues faced by individuals known as "Lost Canadians." These are people who lost their Canadian citizenship due to previous legislative changes or specific requirements that they failed to meet.
Key provisions of Bill S-245 include:
Restoring Citizenship: The bill intends to restore citizenship to individuals who lost it due to the 2009 changes, specifically those who failed to apply to retain their citizenship by the age of 28 (Library of Parliament) (Parl).
Substantial Connection Requirement: For second-generation Canadians born abroad, the bill introduces a "substantial connection" criterion, which can be fulfilled by spending three years in Canada (not necessarily consecutive) (Library of Parliament).
Retroactive Grants: The bill seeks to retroactively grant citizenship to those who would have been citizens if they had applied under the rules that were in place before 2009 (Parl).
The bill has progressed through various stages in both the Senate and the House of Commons, receiving amendments and extensive review in committee stages (Parl) (OpenParliament_CA). This legislation is part of ongoing efforts to rectify past exclusions and ensure a more inclusive citizenship policy in Canada.
Rural and Francophone are two crucial minorities in Canada. They have a huge role in promoting long-term growth and linguistic vitality in the country. Thus, the Canadian Government introduced two pilot programs- the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Program. IRCC will accept applications from the communities through these programs this fall.
How will the Rural and Francophone Community Pilot Programs Work?
The date for submitting applications hasn’t been announced yet. But, as IRCC launched the pilot programs, it is expected to start anytime this fall.
Both programs aim to strengthen the economy in the mentioned communities. Thus, economic development organizations in Canada can apply for the programs. They need to submit the application on behalf of their respective communities. IRCC would ask for eligibility proof and demonstrate how immigration can improve the local economies.
About 15 communities can take part in the pilot programs as per IRCC. They would choose the communities based on the availability of services, economic needs and economic development potential.
What is the Rural Immigration Pilot Program?
It will act as a replacement for the current RNIP or Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. The RNIP helps rural communities in Ontario and Western Canada attract skilled newcomers who can contribute to the local economy. The communities, on the other hand, help the new immigrants adjust and establish themselves.
What is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Program?
Quebec is the only French-speaking majority province in Canada. IRCC focuses on promoting this language even outside of Quebec. The Canadian Government wants to increase the number of French-speaking newcomers outside of Quebec. They also want to maintain the economic development of francophone minority communities.
The pilot program is their way of achieving these missions. The Government has also come up with other steps such as an Express Entry category for French-speaking newcomers. About 30% of category-based Express Entry draws will occur in 2024 itself.
Do You Need Help with Immigration Applications?
The above-mentioned community applications aim to attract eligible candidates and help the communities thrive economically. Do you have the skills they are looking for? An experienced immigration consultant like the ones at Onkar Immigration can help you navigate the application. They equip you with the knowledge and assistance required to get through the application process smoothly.
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