Excitement as the Government of Canada Announces New Deadlines for Work Permit for international students graduating between September 1st and May 15th from public-private programs every year.
Canada and the United States remain top choices for international students due to the ease of obtaining work permits after graduation. The international education sector contributes approximately US$16 billion annually to the Canadian government.
This post contains all you need to know about the new dates and deadlines for the Canada Work Permit. We will also walk through the application process step-by-step.
Purpose of New Canada Work Permit Date
The announcement was made by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on March 22, to prevent schools from changing their admission dates in preparation for a change in policy.
The change in the application date was announced to manage population growth and address housing challenges in the country.
The Canadian government plans to impose a two-year cap on the admission of international students beginning in 2024.
Who Can Apply for Canada Work Permit?
Several educational institutions have announced a new academic year start in June or August. Previously, foreign students were admitted to public schools under public-private partnerships and then transitioned to private institutions after payment.
However, with a diploma from a public school, students could apply for work permits upon graduation. Despite the ban, students can now seek alternative work permits, particularly in fields facing labor shortages.
New Strict Canada Rules
- From May 15th, students who are studying private-public partnership programs will not be eligible for postgraduate work visa. However, students pursuing other programs in Canada remain qualified.
- Canada has been imposing stricter rules for foreign students since October 2023, citing an increase in immigration leading to housing shortages and rent hikes.
- To alleviate pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services, IRCC plans to admit 360,000 new students, marking a 35% decrease from the previous year.
- According to the Immigration and Refugee Committee of Canada (IRCC) on January 22, 2024, overseas students completing college courses under public-private curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for post-graduation work visas.
- This decision is expected to significantly affect Ontario province, home to at least 14 public-private partnership schools, resulting in the loss of approximately 133,000 international students. Jill Dunlop, chair of the province’s university and college management authority, estimates that 96% of Ontario’s international study permits would go to public schools.
How To Apply for Canada Work Permit
There are 2 types of work permits.
Employer-specific work permit
An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as the name of the specific employer you can work for how long you can work the location where you can work (if applicable)
Before you apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you
- a copy of your employment contract
1 of the following: - a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
- an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)
- To get this number, your employer must use the Employer Portal.
- If your employer doesn’t need to use the Employer Portal
- If your employer does not need to use the Employer Portal to submit an offer of employment, they must give you a copy of the employment contract.
Open work permit
An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.
Some jobs require a medical exam. If you don’t want medical conditions on your open work permit, you can get a medical exam from a panel physician.
If you want to bring your family with you
Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be able to work, study or live with you while you work in Canada.
Bringing your family to Canada with you.
Eligibility Requirements for Canada Work Permit
- There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.
- But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
- show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
- obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);
- not be a danger to Canada’s security;
- be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
- not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
- not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.
