The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
Tools
CRS CalculatorExpress Entry Invitations
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Sign In
English中文(简体)中文(香港)中文(台灣)
2024 Canada Study Abroad Policies and Post-Graduation Work Permit Policies Annual Review: Summary, Impact, and Analysis
Published Date: December 29, 2024

Updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Policy

1. Students in Partnership Programs No Longer Eligible for PGWP

Effective May 15, 2024, international students enrolled in partnership programs between private and public colleges are no longer eligible to apply for a PGWP. Initially planned for implementation in September, IRCC advanced the timeline, leaving some students unprepared.

2. Three-Year Work Permits for Master’s Graduates

From February 15, 2024, master’s degree graduates, regardless of the program duration (two years or shorter), will be eligible for a three-year PGWP. This change provides greater support for master’s graduates seeking Canadian work experience to transition to permanent residency.

3. New Language Requirements

Starting November 1, university graduates applying for PGWP must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7, while college graduates must meet CLB Level 5. These higher standards pose additional challenges for students from non-English-speaking countries.

4. Field-Specific Restrictions

From November 2024, PGWP applications for graduates of college and vocational university programs must align with Canada’s long-term skills shortage fields, including agriculture, healthcare, STEM, trades, and transportation. However, these restrictions do not apply to undergraduate or graduate students.

Termination of Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express

On November 8, 2024, IRCC announced the immediate termination of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs. These programs aimed to expedite visa applications for students from specific countries. With their closure, application processing times will now follow standard procedures, which are expected to take significantly longer.

Cap on Study Permits

On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a cap on the number of international study permit applications. Under the new policy, approximately 360,000 new study permits are expected to be approved in 2024, representing a 35% decrease from 2023. In April 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller clarified that the total target for study permits in 2024 is 485,000.

On September 18, IRCC further announced that the number of international study permits for 2025 would be reduced again by 10% from the 2024 target of 485,000, lowering it to 437,000.

Additionally, the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, released in October, outlined Canada’s goals for temporary residents over the next three years, including international students. For 2025, the plan targets 305,900 new international students. This number only includes first-time entrants and excludes renewal or extension applications for students already in Canada.

Stricter Rules for Study Permit Applications

1. Introduction of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs)

To enforce the cap on study permit applications, IRCC introduced Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) on January 22, 2024. From this date, all study permit applications submitted to IRCC must include this document.

In March, IRCC clarified details and announced certain exemptions. The following categories must provide PALs:

  • Most post-secondary education applicants;
  • Most non-degree postgraduate programs (e.g., certificate or diploma programs);
  • All international students not on the exemption list.

Exemptions from the PAL requirement include:

  • Primary and secondary school students;
  • Master’s and doctoral program students (*but as of September 18, new rules require these students to provide PALs as well);
  • Visiting or exchange students studying at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada;
  • Current study or work permit holders, including those renewing their permits;
  • Family members of study or work permit holders;
  • Students who have already received study permit approval and plan to study in Canada;
  • Students who submitted their applications before January 22, 2024, at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.

On September 18, IRCC further expanded the scope of the PAL requirement to include master’s and doctoral students.

2. New Study Permit Required for School Transfers

Effective November 15, international students must apply for a new study permit to transfer schools instead of merely updating their account information. This change aims to enhance the regulation of student transfers but increases administrative complexity.

Adjustments to Off-Campus Work Hours

Temporary measures introduced during the pandemic ended on November 15, 2024, reducing international students’ off-campus work hours from unlimited to 24 hours per week. While slightly more than the pre-pandemic limit of 20 hours, this change impacts students working full-time.

Tightening of Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Policies

On January 22, 2024, IRCC restricted Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP) for international students. Under the new policy, only spouses of master’s and doctoral students are eligible to apply for an open work permit. Previously, spouses of international students in college or undergraduate programs were also eligible.

The policy took effect on March 19, with exceptions for certain undergraduate programs. Spouses of international students in non-university programs remain eligible to apply for SOWP if the primary applicant is in one of the following fields:

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery;
  • Bachelor or Doctor of Laws (LLB);
  • Doctor of Pharmacy;
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD);
  • Doctor of Optometry (OD);
  • Bachelor or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm);
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM);
  • Bachelor of Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc);
  • Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.);
  • Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng., BE, BASc).

In September 2024, IRCC further tightened SOWP eligibility, requiring that only spouses of international students enrolled in master’s programs lasting at least 16 months can apply. While this additional restriction has not yet been implemented, it signals Canada’s growing policy constraints for international students and their families.

Conclusion

Canada’s significant adjustments to international student and PGWP policies in 2024 reflect the federal government’s shift from short-term attraction of students to long-term workforce management strategies. For prospective international students, understanding the new regulations and planning ahead are now more critical than ever. These policy changes also have far-reaching implications for educational institutions and local economies, warranting further observation and analysis.

Tags
Immigration News
Express Entry
Study
BannerFREE Personalized Plan
More
曼省最新PNP抽签：定向邀请海外技术工，凸显“战略性招聘”重要性
Manitoba's Latest PNP Draw Targets Overseas Skilled Workers, Highlighting Importance of 'Strategic Recruitment'
Manitoba held its latest provincial nominee draw on June 12, inviting 36 skilled workers from overseas. The draw was highly targeted, with all invitations going to candidates selected directly through the province's Strategic Recruitment Initiative and requiring a minimum score of 613. Amid potential changes to provincial nomination allocations, this move underscores the critical role of employer-linked immigration pathways for applicants.
06/17/2025
安省省提名抽签在暂停四个月后重启，雇主担保类别将迎重大系统变革
Ontario PNP Draws Resume After Four-Month Pause, Employer Job Offer Streams to Undergo Major System Overhaul
After a four-month hiatus, the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) has recently resumed issuing invitations. Following a large-scale draw on June 3, the province held another targeted draw on June 6 for the Greater Sudbury region, inviting 72 candidates. More significantly, Ontario has announced a major reform to its Expression of Interest (EOI) system for Employer Job Offer streams, transitioning from an "applicant-led" to an "employer-led" model effective July 2. This change is expected to profoundly impact the future application process.
06/17/2025
安省移民政策迎重大调整：雇主担保项目将全面转向“雇主主导”模式
Ontario's Immigration Policy Undergoes Major Overhaul: Employer Job Offer Streams to Become Fully Employer-Led
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently announced a fundamental overhaul to its highly sought-after Employer Job Offer streams. Starting July 2, 2024, the application process for these streams will shift from the current "applicant-led" model to an "employer-led" one. This change means employers must now initiate the process by submitting job details to the province through a new online portal before a foreign national can register an Expression of Interest (EOI). This reform will have significant implications for all current and prospective applicants.
06/15/2025
计划夏季赴加？当心“不可入境”规定，有犯罪记录者需提前规划
Planning a Summer Trip to Canada? Beware of 'Inadmissibility' Rules—Advance Planning is Crucial for Those with a Criminal Record
As the peak summer travel season approaches, many are planning to visit Canada to see family, friends, or attend events. However, Canada's stringent entry screening system may catch some visitors with criminal records off guard. Under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, non-citizens with a criminal record may be deemed "criminally inadmissible" and denied entry. This article will detail the conditions that lead to inadmissibility and introduce the three official pathways to overcome this barrier: the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), Deemed Rehabilitation, and individual Criminal Rehabilitation, to help affected individuals prepare in advance.
06/14/2025
加拿大“快速通道”移民抽签重回大规模模式，3000名境内申请人获邀
Canada's Express Entry Draws Return to Large-Scale Model, 3,000 In-Canada Applicants Invited
On June 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 529. As the fourth draw of the month, its significant size marks a return to the large-scale CEC draws that were common in 2024 and earlier this year, sending a positive signal to individuals who already have Canadian study and work experience.
06/13/2025
纽芬兰省移民邀请数量再创新高，新政下吸纳人才步伐加快
Newfoundland's Immigration Invitations Hit Record High as Province Accelerates Talent Acquisition Under New System
Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador held its third provincial immigration draw of the year on May 29, 2025, issuing a total of 405 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This marks a new single-round record since the province adopted its new Expression of Interest (EOI) system in February of this year. The draw included candidates from both the Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), demonstrating the province's accelerated pace in recruiting skilled talent and new immigrants after successfully securing a larger federal immigration allocation.
06/12/2025
加拿大“快速通道”最新抽签：再次定向省提名候选人，分数线高达784分
Canada's Express Entry Again Targets Provincial Nominees in Latest Draw, CRS Score Climbs to 784
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on June 10, 2025, once again targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 125 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 784. This is the third draw of the month and the first series of invitations under the new Minister of Immigration, Lena Diab. Data shows that the PNP remains the dominant stream for invitations in 2025. Concurrently, IRCC has underscored the importance for all candidates to maintain accurate profile information to avoid severe penalties for misrepresentation.
06/11/2025
阿省移民项目最新抽签：再次聚焦医疗人才，36名专业人士获邀
Alberta Targets Healthcare Sector in New Immigration Draw, Inviting 36 Professionals
The province of Alberta conducted its latest provincial nominee draw on June 3, 2025, issuing 36 invitations to healthcare professionals through its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, which is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. With a remarkably low minimum score requirement of 60, the draw highlights the province's focused strategy to attract and retain foreign talent to address labour shortages in its healthcare system. Data shows that nearly half of the province's annual nomination allocation has been used, while competition within the healthcare stream remains high.
06/10/2025
魁北克公布未来四年移民计划草案：大幅削减临时居民，法语能力成核心要求
Quebec Unveils Draft Immigration Plan for Next Four Years: Drastic Cuts to Temporary Residents, French Proficiency Becomes Core Requirement
Quebec's Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, announced the province's draft immigration plan for the next four years (2026-2029) on June 5, 2025, signaling a major policy shift. The new strategy focuses on strictly controlling and reducing the number of temporary residents while shifting the selection focus entirely to in-province candidates with French language skills and work experience. To facilitate this transition, Quebec has immediately suspended intake for the popular PEQ experience program and plans to consider raising its permanent residence targets only after the federal government commits to a significant reduction in temporary residents. The draft plan is now open for public consultation.
06/09/2025
加拿大移民快速通道再次定向邀请，医疗护理人才成重点
Canada's Express Entry Holds Another Targeted Draw, Prioritizing Healthcare Talent
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw on June 4, specifically targeting candidates in the "Healthcare and Social Services" category. A total of 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504. This marks the second targeted draw for this category this year, further signaling Canada's clear policy of prioritizing specific professional fields to address labor market shortages. To date, Canada has issued 35,217 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.
06/09/2025
More
# Can spouse of international students work in Canada?# How is the CRS Score Calculated?# What is Express Entry?# How to become a licensed immigration consultant in Canada?# Why Need a Professional, Licensed Immigration Consultant for Immigrating to Canada?# How to verify if my immigration consultant is licensed?# Difference between licensed and unlicensed immigration consultants?# Is it mandatory to be licensed to practice immigration consulting in Canada?
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK