Flexibility in post-graduation work permit rules to help international students and Canadian post-secondary institutions

Date Announced:

May 14, 2020

Active Period:

Until December 31, 2020.

Overview:

Under normal circumstances, criteria for the PGWPP limit an international student’s ability to pursue a program via distance learning, from inside or outside Canada, and time spent studying outside Canada is deducted from the length of the work permit for which they are eligible. PGWPP eligibility will not be affected for international students whose fall 2020 courses will be online due to COVID-19. This is in line with guidance provided to students already studying in Canada or whose program had a spring or summer start date. Students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning if they cannot travel to Canada sooner. In addition, they will not have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada, up to December 31, 2020.

Departments and Agencies:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Type of Administrative Action:

  • Programmatic Changes

    • Immigration Category:

    International students

    Keywords:

    distance learning | online learning | Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)

    Source Document(s):

    https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/pgwpp-rules-covid19.html

    Send us your feedback:

    If you have comments pertaining to this policy document, please complete this form.