Blue Bird Blog

International students unable to meet Canadian work experience requirement get another chance

Canada introduces a new policy that will give international students affected by COVID-19 another chance to gain the work experience they need to be eligible for permanent residence.

A new policy was introduced today, January 8, 2021, by the Government of Canada that will allow former international students with an expired or expiring Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) to apply for a new open work permit.

The purpose of the policy is to provide PGWP holders with more time to gain the work experience they need to be eligible to apply for Canadian immigration. The Canadian government has introduced this policy to help PGWP holders who have lost their jobs or seen their hours cut due to the coronavirus pandemic. Canadian government research shows that former international students are able to integrate quickly into the Canadian labour market upon gaining permanent residence due in large part to their Canadian education and work experience.

The new open work permits will be valid for 18 months and will enable former international students to stay in Canada and continue to look for work. Unlike closed work permits, which tie a foreign worker to just one employer in Canada, open work permits allow foreign nationals to work for any employer of their choice.

To apply for an open work permit under the new policy, the following criteria must be met:

you must have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020 or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date of application;
you need to be in Canada;
you need to have a valid temporary status or be applying to restore your status.

The application process will be open from January 27 to July 27, 2021.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has estimated that 52,000 graduates with expired or expiring PGWPs could benefit from this public policy.

About half of 61,000 PGWP holders whose work permits had an expiry date between January and December 2020 have already become permanent residents or have an application for permanent residence in process, according to IRCC data.

Study

How long will it take to become a permanent resident of Canada in 2024?

Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence (PR) in Canada often look for the fastest pathway to achieving their goal and starting a new life in this country.
On a basic level, Canada has four primary immigration classes: economic immigration, family-class sponsorship, humanitarian/compassionate immigration and immigration for refugees/protected persons.
However, within those four general classifications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides foreign nationals with more than 100 ways to immigrate to Canada.

IRCC announces cap on admissions for international students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that is implanting a temporary cap on the number of international students who are issued study visas. A release from IRCC shows that for 2024, the cap is "expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023."
Further, IRCC is introducing caps for each province and territory. The department says the caps will be weighted by population, and will result in significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth.

Top 20 Universities in Canada For 2024 | New List

Canada, with its breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultural heritage, is a sought-after destination not only for its natural beauty but also for its world-class education.
In this extensive investigation, we reveal the top 20 Canadian universities that serve as academic lighthouses, supporting innovation, research, and a varied learning environment.
These institutions represent the pinnacle of scholastic distinction in the Great White North, from the dynamic cities of Toronto and Montreal to the magnificent landscapes of Vancouver and beyond.

3 Canadian Universities rank inside QS World University Rankings for 2024

As they pick their Canadian educational institution, it is common for international students to consult trusted rankings and evaluators to help choose the best school for their needs.
One of those trusted evaluators is Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), viewed globally as a leader in analyzing higher education institutions around the world.
In fact, back in 2013, QS was the first “global and regional university rankings” organization to be “International Ranking Expert Group (IREG)-approved for three of its research outputs". The IREG is “an international institutional non-profit association of ranking organizations, universities and other bodies interested in university rankings and academic excellence.

Tuition hikes and other changes coming for international students in Quebec

In 2024, Quebec will be implementing changes to the post-secondary education system that some believe will have a “direct impact [on Quebec’s] ability to attract and retain the best talents.”
Recent reports from multiple outlets confirm Quebec’s intention, beginning in 2024, to implement several changes to the post-secondary education system – as well as connected immigration programs – across Canada’s only majority French-language province.

Canada’s international student population continues to soar

Canada is a top destination for international students. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has shared that Canada is on track to host around 900,000 international students in 2023. However, recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) suggests that number may be low.