International students are faced with uncertainty due to Canada’s shifting immigration policies, since their PGWPs expire and their options for obtaining permanent residency are limited after 2024.

With the prospect of an immigration process leading to permanent residency, Canada has long been a top choice for overseas students. Over 396,000 post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) had been granted to international students by the end of 2023, a considerable rise from the previous year. Numerous graduates make significant contributions to Canada’s workforce by occupying pivotal positions in diverse industries.

Many international students, who have spent years in Canada pursuing their education and gaining work experience, are now worried about their future due to recent changes in immigration laws. In order to recruit talented people, Canada has set a target of around 305,000 immigrants under the economic immigration category for the year 2024.

In spite of this objective, many temporary residents—including holders of PGWP—find themselves disqualified from the new permanent residency (PR) requirements, which causes annoyance and worry in the minds of people who had intended to remain indefinitely.

The Changing Route for International Students to Obtain Permanent Residency

For many years, it appeared that foreign students could easily obtain permanent residency (PR) by completing their studies in Canada, gaining work experience, and then applying for PR. One crucial stage in this process was thought to be the introduction of PGWPs.

However, the environment changed in 2023 compared to 2021. In order to solve the labor shortage, Canada awarded PR to 90,000 temporary workers and PGWP holders during the epidemic; however, these measures were ultimately revoked.

Furthermore, there were substantial modifications made to the requirements for PR via the Express Entry system. The emphasis started to shift away from candidates with Canadian education and job experience and toward French speakers and those in particular industries, like healthcare, skilled crafts, agriculture, transportation, and STEM disciplines.

Because of this, a large number of overseas graduates currently have limited possibilities for permanent residency when their PGWPs expire. PGWP holders may have between 70,000 and 130,000 of their permits expire in 2024 or 2025; there is minimal chance that they will receive invitations to apply for permanent residence or visa extensions.

Effects of Policy Changes on Humans

Many international students and graduates are now in a precarious situation as a result of these changes in immigration rules. They are now faced with the prospect of having to leave Canada after spending time and money establishing a life there.

There is a general feeling of anxiety because PGWPs are expiring and there isn’t a clear path to permanent residence, especially for people who thought studying and working in Canada would result in permanent residency.

A rising amount of worry regarding opaque PR selection procedures has also been sparked by the circumstances. Many recent international grads feel mistreated by the system and are unsure of their prospects of obtaining permanent residence.

Predation and Con artists

Some PGWP holders are becoming more vulnerable to exploitation as their desperation develops. Through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, dishonest recruiters are making false employment offers, frequently collecting outrageous sums in exchange for the guarantee of temporary work permits. These frauds have made an already difficult situation for international grads even more complicated.

Short-Term Fixes and Long-Term Problems

The government has put in place restrictions like restricting PGWPs for specific private colleges and limited international student admissions in response to the growing number of international students and the demand on housing and infrastructure. These adjustments, however, do not resolve the pressing issues of PGWPs expiring and the absence of a clear route to permanent residence for individuals who are already in the nation.

Although the emphasis on economic integration in Canada’s immigration policy has been praised, recent revisions have raised questions about the nation’s commitment to accepting overseas graduates. Thousands of talented workers may be forced to leave Canada, therefore more action is obviously needed to address the growing discontent among individuals who have made major contributions to the country’s economy and society. This action might take the shape of policy reform or extended visas.

In order to avoid losing out on talented overseas students who choose Canada as their home, the government needs to find a way to keep its word.