New Rules for PGWP Eligibility For International Students in Public-Private Partnerships

Starting May 15, 2024, international students graduating from colleges in Canada that have public-private partnerships (PPP) are no longer eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

This change was initially announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on January 22, 2024. At that time, IRCC said the new rule would take effect on September 1, 2024.

However, the effective date was moved up to May 15, 2024, because some educational institutions were advancing their fall admission dates to June or August to avoid the new rules.

Impact on International Students

Under these new rules, international students enrolled in public-private partnership programs will not be eligible for a PGWP starting from May 15, 2024. This means students graduating from these programs cannot stay and work in Canada after their studies under the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.

Details on Ineligibility

Here are the specific conditions under which international students are ineligible for a PGWP:

Programs in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s):

If students are in a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that operates under a public-private partnership, they will not qualify for a PGWP if they graduate after May 15, 2024.

Enrollment Before the Rule Change:

Students who were already enrolled in a program at a private college, managed on behalf of a public institution within the same province before May 15, 2024, might still be eligible for a PGWP.

However, if they start their program on or after May 15, 2024, they will not be eligible.

Programs Managed by Public Colleges from Different Provinces:

Students who began their studies on or before January 31, 2023, at a PPP institution that offers programs on behalf of a public college from another province, will not be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Additionally, students who started their programs after February 1, 2023, at such institutions, will also be ineligible.

General PGWP Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a PGWP, international students need to meet certain general criteria:

• Graduation from a PGWP-Eligible DLI: Students must graduate from a designated learning institution that is eligible for the PGWP.
• Full-Time Student Status: They must have maintained full-time student status in each semester of their program.
• Valid Study Permit: They need to have had a valid study permit within the last 180 days before applying for the PGWP.

Specific PGWP Eligibility Based on Institution Type and Program Length

To qualify for a PGWP, students must meet additional criteria based on the type of institution and program length:

Public Post-Secondary Institutions:

• Colleges, trade/technical schools, or universities.
• The program must be at least 8 months long and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

Quebec Public Secondary Institutions:

• Offer vocational training programs of 900 hours or longer.
• The program must lead to a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) or an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS).

Quebec CEGEPs (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel):

• Programs of 900 hours or longer.
• The program must lead to an attestation of college studies (ACS) or a diploma of college studies (DCS).

Quebec Provincially Subsidized Private Institutions:

• Private post-secondary or secondary institutions offering provincially subsidized vocational training programs.
• Programs must be 900 hours or longer and lead to an ACS or DCS.

Canadian Private Institutions Authorized to Confer Degrees:

• The DLI must be authorized by the province to confer degrees, such as associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or doctorates.
• Students must be enrolled in a degree program authorized by the province. Not all programs at the private DLI may qualify.

Summary

The new rules introduced by IRCC significantly affect international students who plan to study in Canada under programs offered through public-private partnerships. 

These students need to be aware that they will not be eligible for a PGWP if they start their programs after May 15, 2024. Understanding the eligibility criteria for the PGWP is crucial for international students who aim to work in Canada after completing their studies.