The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program in Canada has become hugely successful

International students have been flocking to Canada for their post graduation studies in massive numbers for the past few years. The main reasons are the impressive quality of education provided by the country and its acceptance of immigrants as part of the Canadian culture. It is no surprise, hence, that the number of foreign nationals living in Canada using the Post-Graduation Work Permit has boomed recently.

The figure stood at a mere 5,400 in 2005 and has gone up to over 143,000 in 2018.
A study conducted by Statistics Canada attributed this huge growth to the increasing population of international students in Canada. The enhancements that have been made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) have also contributed to its popularity. The PGWPP provides recipients with an open work permit allowing students to stay in Canada even after their course is over.

International graduates hailing from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions will be able to remain in the country and work for a period of up to three years once their studies are complete. However, the length of time during which the permit remains valid is dependent on the length of candidate’s academic program.
Since the Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit, it gives international graduates the chance to work in any industry and any occupation. They are able to stay wherever they want in Canada and are allowed to change employers when they need to. Eligible candidates should have finished a study program that spanned at least eight months. They also have to meet other specified criteria to have a chance of getting the permit. The PGWPP was introduced back in the early 2000s, and since then there has been a sharp rise in the number of international students choosing to study in Canada.