
Canada eases PGWP rules, removes field-of-study requirement for college graduates
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). That requirement had been put in place in 2024 for Canadian colleges but not universities, and it was part of an effort by the Canadian government to apply heavier scrutiny to the international education sector, as per an ICEF Monitor report.
“Graduates of college degree programs will no longer be required to meet the PGWP field of study requirement,” said Canadian Bureau for International Education CEO Larissa Bezo.
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The revised wording on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website clarifies that once again, students graduating from all Canadian bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes – whether from universities or colleges – are eligible for the PGWP if they meet language requirements.
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Canadian colleges have traditionally enrolled about twice as many international students in business programs as universities, and they are often highly skilled at graduating students with specialized skills needed in the Canadian economy, across business and other sectors.
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The removal of the field-of-study requirement for Canadian colleges helps level the playing field for these institutions in recruiting international students. However, it may take some time for colleges to regain their position in key markets, as immigration