Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled three new measures offering greater flexibility to international students impacted by COVID-19-related travel restrictions and campus closures. The changes specifically relate to the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a vital pathway for many students aiming to live and work in Canada after their studies.
Under these updated policies, students can now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, without losing eligibility for their PGWP—as long as at least 50% of their total academic program is completed in Canada. This marks a significant shift from pre-pandemic rules, where distance learning did not count toward PGWP eligibility.
Additionally, international students enrolled in programs between 8 to 12 months, starting from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire studies online from outside Canada and still qualify for the PGWP. For those pursuing longer or multiple eligible programs during this timeframe, IRCC will allow them to combine the lengths of the programs when applying for their PGWP—again, provided 50% of the overall studies occur within Canada.
The PGWP allows graduates of designated Canadian post-secondary institutions to work for any employer across the country and is often a stepping stone to permanent residency. PGWP holders can gain valuable Canadian work experience, which plays a pivotal role in gaining eligibility through immigration pathways like Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class, and earning extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
These updates represent IRCC’s ongoing response to the evolving global health crisis. Canada’s government aims to maintain its attractiveness as a global education destination, even as many students continue to face pandemic-related uncertainties.
To benefit from these measures, students must apply for a Canadian study permit before beginning their program in the spring, summer, or fall 2020 semesters—or for programs starting in January 2021—and must ultimately be approved.
IRCC has stated that any relaxation of travel or immigration restrictions will be contingent on ongoing progress in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic both in Canada and globally. The department continues to monitor international developments and is prepared to introduce further changes, if needed, to support international students.
These efforts reaffirm Canada’s commitment to attracting global talent and ensuring that international students retain access to post-study work opportunities despite global disruptions.