Canada’s post-graduation work permit could change: How will Indians be affected?

The Post-Graduate Work Permit allows students who graduate from designated learning institutions to stay in Canada and work – albeit temporarily. Experts say students should increase their chances of obtaining the permit by choosing specialised courses rather than general fields Canada’s federal government has asked provincial governments to “align PGWP eligibility with labour market needs while reducing the overall volume of PGWP holders.” Representational image Canada could be changing its Post-Graduate Work Permit – and Indian students may be affected. According to the Government of Canada website, students who graduate from a master’s degree programme of less than two years can apply for a PGWP. According to Indian Express, Canada’s federal government has asked provincial governments to “align PGWP eligibility with labour market needs while reducing the overall volume of PGWP holders.” The newspaper quoted from an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada briefing paper stating that “work is…underway to re-align the program to better meet targeted labour market needs and immigration objectives.” In essence, the government wants to restrict the scheme to only those graduates who will work in fields facing labour shortages. The ICEF Monitor on their website said such a move “would rise to a new level of recklessness for policy makers in Canada.” “In a year of challenging market signals, with considerable confusion and uncertainty already introduced for students and their families, any PGWP changes introduced with immediate effect would be extremely damaging to Canada’s brand as an international study destination.