As a result of our collective action, international students in college programs will NOT be denied post-graduate work permits based on their field of study. University and college graduates will still have to meet the language requirements, but the reversal of the field of study requirement is a massive win for working-class migrants and students.
Almost 2000 letters were sent to the federal government calling on them to stop the injustice. Together, we prove that when we take action together, we can win changes. Read more about what happened and what the latest update is, as of October 4, 2024.
What happened?
Over the past 12 months, there has been a barrage of changes to immigration rules that capped and slashed rights for current and former international students. On September 18, 2024, the federal government announced more caps, and changed the rules in the middle of the game by restricting post-graduate work permit (PGWP) eligibility. These undemocratic changes would have affected hundreds of us who are already living, studying, and working here.
Originally, the federal government said that starting November 1st, 2024:
- International students in college programs will NOT be eligible for PGWP unless we are studying in an industry that Canada wants;
- Students in universities and colleges will have to get high language scores to apply for a work permit: CLB 7 for university, and CLB 5 for college;
- More family separation and refusal of spousal open work permits;
- Instead of more support for international students, more caps on how many can come in 2025, including those in Master’s or PhD programs.
What did we win on October 4, 2024?
When these changes were announced, we immediately called for all those who are already in the country or have applied to study permits to be “grandfathered in” under the original rules. Thousands jumped into action, and on October 4, 2024, the federal government partially reversed the changes. Now, the PGWP eligibility is as follows, and you can read the updates on the government’s website here.
For international students who are already studying in Canada or have applied for a study permit BEFORE November 1, 2024:
- Students in public college diploma programs are eligible for post-graduate work permits under the original rules. This means that even if your program is not on the field of study list, you can get a work permit. You have been grandfathered in;
- Students in university programs, such as bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programs, do NOT have to meet the field of study requirement. You are exempt;
- Students in universities and colleges will STILL have to get high language scores to apply for work permits: CLB 7 for university, and CLB 5 for college;
- If you are in flight school, these requirements DO NOT apply to you. You are exempt.
For international students who will apply for a study permit ON or AFTER November 1, 2024:
- Students in public colleges must graduate in one of the following five fields of study to be eligible for the post-graduate work permit: (1) agriculture and agri-food, (2) healthcare, (3) science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), (4) trade, and (5) transport. You can see a list of courses titles that the government says qualifies for these fields of study here;
- Students in university programs, such as bachelor’s degree, master’s degrees or PhD, do NOT have to meet the field of study requirement to qualify for post-graduate work permits. You are exempt;
- Students in universities and colleges will have to get high language scores to apply for work permits: CLB 7 for university, and CLB 5 for college.
If you still have questions and/or want 1-on-1 support, please contact our free and confidential information hotline here: MigrantWorkersAlliance.org/MSUHotline
What’s next?
Still, immigration caps are separating families, the most recent minimum points needed for permanent residency for the Canadian Experience Class was 509 (impossibly high), and more than 200,000 post-graduate work permits will expire by the end of 2024 and next year.
Working people in Canada, including international students and migrants, are going through some of the hardest moments of our lives. At the same time, the richest few in the country are getting richer. These same people own grocery monopolies, housing corporations, push down working conditions for all of us, and are friends with politicians.
The federal government is threatening to cut permanent residency numbers for the Immigration Levels Plan set to be announced on November 1st. When we see politicians legitimizing this blame-game and attacking our rights, we must speak out and stand for justice together.
The rule reversal was a step forward, but there’s no guarantee that these sudden and unexpected changes will not happen again. This is our time to stand up, fight back and defend the rights of all.
We are the largest migrant student movement in the country – and clearly when we take action together, we can win. Join us in building power!
- If you are a current or former international student, join the movement! Fill out this form and we will connect with you: MigrantWorkersAlliance.org/StudentPower
- If you are a non-migrant supporter or ally, join the cross-country week of action against racism and xenophobia by hosting an event in your community: MigrantRights.ca/Nov
