Starting September 1, 2023, graduates of unsubsidized private learning institutions in Quebec will no longer be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
According to the federal government, the policy is meant to defend the integrity of Quebec’s international student program. Journalists and the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education have discovered that certain private colleges have been engaging in unethical recruitment methods in recent years.
International students participating in a private program of study in other provinces are often denied access to the PGWP, an open work permit that allows international student graduates to work in Canada for up to three years. When the bill takes effect, private institutions in Quebec will be in line with the rest of the country.
Graduates of Quebec’s subsidized study programs will still be eligible for the PGWP.
In a press statement, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser stated, “Canada recognizes the immense social, cultural, and economic benefits that overseas students bring to this country.” “Making the modification to post-graduation work permit eligibility that Quebec asked for will strengthen the program’s integrity, bring Quebec’s private institutions closer to those of other provinces, and protect our well-deserved image as a top destination for international students.”
Since 2018, unsubsidized private educational institutions have attracted a substantial number of international students. Between 2016 and 2018, around 4,900 overseas students were granted study visas at one of these institutions. The number of overseas students who acquired a study permit for one of these universities increased to 11,500 between 2019 and 2021.

ABOUT THE PGWP
The PGWP is an open work permit that allows overseas students to work for any employer in Canada after graduation. It can be used as a stepping stone to becoming a permanent resident. According to studies, immigrants who have worked in Canada before moving to Canada fare better in the labor market than those who come to Canada directly from their home country.
International student graduates must have studied full-time for at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution to be eligible for the PGWP (DLI). A degree, diploma, or certificate must have been earned as a result of the study program.
During the pandemic, when students were compelled to work from home, Canada enacted legislation that allowed international students to enroll in online courses. International students can apply for the PGWP by completing online courses between March 2020 and August 31, 2022.

HOW CAN ICC IMMIGRATION HELP YOU?

ICC Immigration can help you explore opportunities that may get you a work permit. Our team of experts can guide you through different pathways. Getting LMIA is one option that can get you a work permit for up to 2 years on another hand ICC can get you enrolled in one-year courses which will make you eligible for a one-year work permit.