IRCC Recent Announcement

October 11, 2024

More information has been published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), clarifying their recent announcement in regards to changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for International Students.

This IRCC page outlines the changes made to the PGWP program.

PGWP Reforms: Current Applicants: October 31st, 2024 deadline
PGWP Reforms: Future Applicants/Students: November 1st, 2024
PGWP Reforms: Current Students

PGWP Reforms: Current Applicants

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE A STUDY PERMIT OR APPLY FOR THEIR STUDY PERMIT BEFORE NOVEMBER 1st, 2024

The following change will impact international students who hold or apply for a study permit before November 1st, 2024:

  • Students applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit on or after November 1st, 2024, will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in English or French. College graduates will require a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French, in all 4 language areas, using an IRCC-approved test. Find your language test equivalency here.
  • Graduates can use a number of IRCC recognized tests, including IELTS (General Training), Pearson PTE Core, and TEF-Canada to demonstrate the minimum language level. Note the results of the test must be less than two years old on the date students apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. IELTS (Academic) cannot be used for proof of language proficiency.
  • International students who hold or apply for a study permit before November 1st, 2024 will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) following their studies under current PGWP eligibility and validity rules which were in place prior to changes announced on Friday, October 4, 2024.
  • Current applicants who do not submit a study permit application before November 1st, 2024, please see the following information regarding the newly announced PGWP eligibility rules: PGWP Reforms: Future Applicants and Students.

PGWP Reforms: Future Applicants and Students

APPLICANTS WHO APPLY FOR THEIR STUDY PERMIT AFTER OCTOBER 31, 2024

  • As of November 1st, 2024, students applying for a study permit for a program delivered by a public college will need to graduate from a field of study linked to occupations where there is a long-term labour shortage, as defined by the Government of Canada, to be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years.
  • Algonquin College PGWP Eligible Programs List: Algonquin College is working on verifying which AC programs are eligible and will publish a list shortly. Algonquin College is also currently working on updating its webpages, program pages and application system to clearly indicate which programs are PGWP eligible.
  • Any Algonquin College applicant who is unable to submit their Study Permit application before November 1st, 2024, and has a Letter of Acceptance for a program which will not be PGWP eligible under the new rules can request to be moved to the first available intake of a PGWP eligible program, provided they meet the program admission requirements or receive a full refund should the student’s original program no longer be PGWP eligible.
  • All students applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit on or after November 1st, 2024, will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in English or French. College graduates will require a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5.

PGWP Reforms: Current Students – New Language Proficiency Requirements

The following change will impact international students currently enrolled at Algonquin College: 

  • International students currently enrolled in post-secondary programs will remain eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) following their studies under current PGWP eligibility and validity rules which were in place prior to the new announced changes.
  • Students applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit on or after November 1st, 2024, will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in English or French. College graduates will require a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French, in all 4 language areas, using an IRCC-approved test. Find your language test equivalency here.
  • Graduates can use a number of IRCC recognized tests, including IELTS (General Training), Pearson PTE Core, and TEF-Canada to demonstrate the minimum language level. Note the results of the test must be less than two years old on the date students apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. IELTS (Academic) cannot be used for proof of language proficiency. Note: Algonquin College provides computer-delivered and paper-based IELTS (General) testing and preparation support for English speakers, in addition to TEF testing for French speakers. If you have any questions about TEF or IELTS testing at Algonquin, please contact: ielts@algonquincollege.com