Changes to postgraduation work permits for international students have been hinted at by Immigration Minister Marc Miller. These changes may require graduates to complete programs tied to labor shortages and meet new language requirements to qualify for a work permit after graduation.
The proposed alterations aim to align postgraduation work permit eligibility with labor market demands while reducing the overall number of permit holders and ensuring international students secure employment relevant to their education and training. Currently, international students can pursue any postsecondary program and still qualify for an open work permit upon graduation, regardless of its relevance to the Canadian job market.
To address the surge in international student enrollment, which has led to concerns about runaway growth, Miller has imposed a two-year cap on new study permits issued and student work hours off-campus during the school year.
Feedback is being sought from postsecondary education institutions on various aspects of the proposed changes, including potential exemptions, eligibility criteria, and the possibility of applying the changes retroactively. Additionally, officials are exploring the prospects of permanent residence for international graduates with job offers in high-demand sectors under provincial immigration programs.
Access to postgraduation work permits has long been an incentive for international students to study in Canada, as it facilitates their transition to permanent residency by rewarding Canadian education credentials and work experience. Experts suggest that modifying work permit eligibility could help achieve government objectives in strengthening the integrity of the international education program and aligning studies with labor market needs.
The last significant changes to the postgraduation work permit program occurred in April 2008, allowing recent graduates to obtain an open work permit for up to three years, depending on the length of their program, without location restrictions or the need for a job offer.