The new PGWP eligibility criteria officially came into effect today, May 15, for international students graduating from public-private partnerships (PPPs) colleges in Canada.
International graduates of college programs provided under a public-private curriculum licensing partnership were initially informed by the IRCC on January 22, 2024, that they would no longer be qualified for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) effective September 1, 2024.
IRCC, however, changed the date of implementation of these new PGWP regulations from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024.
According to reports, several of these educational institutions pushed their autumn admission to June or August in order to escape the new PGWP criteria that were published in January 2024, which is why the IRCC decided to move the effective date.
This suggests that foreign students will not be eligible for post-graduation work permits if they participate in public-private curriculum licensing partnership programs effective May 15, 2024.
In this article, we list the full PGWP eligibility criteria as per the new rules that are now in effect.
PGWP Ineligibility for International Students in Curriculum Licensing Agreements (public-private partnerships)
If an international student has completed a course or study program at a DLI under a curriculum licensing agreement, they are not eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) (also termed a P3 or public-private partnership).
Students who were enrolled in a program of study at a private college run on behalf of a public university in the same province before to May 15, 2024, may be eligible for a PGWP.
However, if they enroll in one of these programs at educational institutions that use public-private partnerships on or after May 15, 2024, they will not be eligible for a PGWP.
Additionally, foreign students will not be eligible for PGWP if they began their study program at a public-private partnership school that is providing teaching on behalf of a public college from a different province on or before January 31, 2023.
Also, if they enrolled in one of these programs after February 1, 2023, new international students are not eligible to apply for a PGWP.
General PGWP Eligibility Criteria
After completing their studies at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada that qualifies for the PGWP, international students may apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Every semester of their study program has to be completed as a full-time student.
A valid study permit that has been issued within the past 180 days is also required of the students.
As per the IRCC official website, a student must also be in one of the below situations to meet the official PGWP eligibility criteria.
