January 30th, 2024 at 06:01 am

Expanding Work Opportunities for International Students in Canada

On January 23, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant policy reform that extends work opportunities for overseas students in Canada. The new regulation, which goes into effect on January 1 and ends on April 30, 2024, permits certain students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus during ordinary academic sessions. This is a shift from prior restrictions, which required students to work 20 hours or fewer if their study permit application was approved by IRCC before October 8, 2022.

Changing Landscape of Postgraduate Work Permits (PGWP)

The eligibility requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) have changed in tandem with the revisions to the off-campus work policy. Starting September 1, 2024, overseas students enrolled in curriculum licensing programs will no longer be eligible for a post-graduate work permit upon graduation. This change intends to limit the number of overseas students eligible for PGWP.

While some students face constraints, there is some good news for master’s and other short-term graduate-level program graduates. They will now be allowed to apply for a three-year work permit, giving them an extended opportunity to get vital job experience in Canada.

The changing restrictions also affect the spouses of overseas students. Spouses of undergraduate and college students will no longer be eligible for open employment permits. In the coming weeks, open work permits will be granted exclusively to spouses of international students pursuing master’s and doctorate studies.

The Canadian government is currently under fire from opposition critics, who blame the housing issue on record-high immigration levels. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stressed the value of overseas students to Canada while also acknowledging the need to balance their access to resources with safeguards against potential exploitation of the system.

Proposed Caps and Economic Perspectives

In response to concerns that immigration is adding to the housing issue, the administration proposes a series of two-year caps on the number of international students allowed to study in each province. This cap is expected to result in a large decrease in issued research permits, reflecting the government’s commitment to fairness by allocating cap space based on provincial populations.

While the proposed limits may allow some jurisdictions to boost their international student populations, others, particularly Ontario, are projected to see significant reductions. The concept of a cap on overseas students was proposed in December as part of larger attempts to better manage immigration levels.

Work Opportunities for International Students

International students in Canada can work on campus without a work permit while finishing their studies if they meet certain criteria, such as holding a valid study permit and enrolling full-time at an authorized institution. Furthermore, they can frequently work off-campus without a work visa, subject to certain circumstances.

The easing of the 20-hour rule during specific periods allows overseas students to work off-campus. Work permits, on the other hand, become obligatory for students enrolled in study programs that entail work, such as co-op or internships.

Furthermore, the International Experience Canada program allows qualifying international students to travel and work in Canada for up to a year if they meet the age requirements and their country of origin has a bilateral agreement with Canada. The new policy adjustments reflect Canada’s continued efforts to strike a balance between the benefits of international student contributions and the need to manage immigration in ways that address domestic concerns. To effectively navigate the Canadian education and immigration landscape, students and stakeholders must stay informed of changes as they occur.

International Students Can Bridge the Gap in Canada’s Skilled Trades Workforce Demand

The skilled trade’s industry in Canada is facing a large manpower shortfall, which domestic students are not filling. To address this issue, Canada has been concentrating on lowering application hurdles and increasing immigration paths in order to recruit more skilled trade workers. As Canada’s demand for skilled trades workers rises, international students may play an important part in creating Canada’s future while also ensuring their own.

Key insights at a glance

• Skilled trades workers are in high demand in Canada, with over 700,000 workers expected to retire between 2019 and 2028.
• International students’ interest in the trades is minimal. In 2022, study permit applications for postsecondary programs in business, STEM, and the arts climbed by 32%. In comparison, applications to trade programs fell by 2%.
• Study permit approval rates for trades programs are 42%, which is lower than the average approval rate of 53% across all college programs.

While the demand for skilled trade workers in Canada is undeniably growing, it is critical to realize that the increase in international student numbers is emerging from a small beginning with low interest rates. Furthermore, study permit acceptance rates for these programs are lower than those for business, STEM, and arts programs. This begs the question: is the Canadian government serious about mobilizing international students to meet critical labor shortages in the commerce sector?

Increasing labor shortages in skilled trades.

Skilled tradespeople have played an important role in essential sectors since the pandemic, and their expertise is still in high demand as over 700,000 skilled tradespeople are expected to retire between 2019 and 2028. As a result, there is a growing need to recruit and train many skilled trade workers.

Canada’s population is aging and its birth rate is low, so it is trying harder to use immigration to boost the workforce and the economy. The government’s pledge to build 5.8 million new houses by 2030 meets the needs of an expanding population. By 2028, Ontario alone will require over 256,000 more apprentices to fulfill the expanding demand. International student graduates may be able to help close this gap.

International students interested in beginning their study abroad experience while also establishing a steady career and immigration path should look into these in-demand work possibilities, many of which provide high incomes and job security.

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