Canada Tightens Permanent Residency Path for International Students

Canada has traditionally been a top choice for international students, promising a chance to transition to permanent residency through its immigration pathways. By the end of 2023, nearly 400,000 international students had received post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), a significant increase from just a few years ago. These graduates have played a crucial role in Canada’s workforce, filling essential positions across various industries.

However, recent shifts in immigration policies have created uncertainty for many of these individuals. The Canadian government’s target for 2024 aims to bring in about 305,000 skilled workers, but many international graduates on PGWPs now find themselves excluded from the new permanent residency criteria. This policy change has left many who had invested years in their education and work in Canada feeling anxious and uncertain about their future.

The PGWP program allowed international students to gain Canadian work experience after graduation, which was previously seen as a key step toward obtaining permanent residency. However, changes between 2021 and 2023 altered the landscape significantly. During the pandemic, Canada granted permanent residency to 90,000 temporary workers and PGWP holders as an emergency measure to address labour shortages, but these provisions were later removed.

The criteria for obtaining permanent residency through the Express Entry system also changed. The new focus is on French speakers and individuals in specific fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, agriculture, transportation, and STEM areas. This shift has left many international graduates with Canadian education and work experience struggling to meet the new requirements.

Experts estimate that between 70,000 and 130,000 PGWP holders will face permit expirations in 2024 and 2025, with little chance for extensions or permanent residency invitations. The Canadian government’s focus on reducing the number of temporary residents and low-wage foreign workers has made the situation even more challenging.

The impact of these policy changes is profound. Many international graduates who had hoped to make Canada their home are now faced with the reality of their permits expiring and no clear path to permanent residency. Vasanthi Venkatesh, a law professor specializing in immigration law, described the situation as causing “panic” among those who had been led to believe that studying in Canada would eventually lead to permanent residency.

Stories of individuals like Sarabjit Singh, a mechanical engineer from India, highlight the personal toll of these changes. Singh, who came to Canada in 2020 for a diploma program, now faces an uncertain future as his PGWP nears expiration. Similarly, Mehakdeep Singh, who studied to become an HVAC technician, is now on a visitor visa after his PGWP expired, unsure of his next steps.

Immigration experts warn that the current system has become increasingly opaque and unpredictable. Mikal Skuterud, an economist, notes that the government’s refusal to grant extensions for expiring visas has left many in difficult situations, either facing undocumented status or being forced to leave Canada.

As the number of expiring PGWPs grows, there is increasing frustration and calls for policy reform. Groups of affected individuals have organized protests demanding fair pathways to permanent residency. They argue that the government’s earlier promises of a path to stay in Canada are not being honoured.

The issue is compounded by exploitation risks, as some unscrupulous recruiters are taking advantage of the desperation of international graduates by offering fraudulent job offers through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. These offers often come with exorbitant fees and lead to further complications and exploitation.

Recent changes, including a cap on international student admissions and restrictions on PGWPs for students from certain private colleges, have not addressed the core issue of expiring permits and limited pathways to permanent residency. Experts like Venkatesh argue that Canada should honour its commitment to those who have contributed to its economy and integrate them into the permanent workforce.

Canada’s shifting immigration policies have left many international graduates who were once seen as valuable contributors facing an uncertain future. With growing discontent among those affected, there is a pressing need for policy adjustments to provide fair and clear pathways to permanent residency.