Why hundreds of international students are suddenly being denied Canadian work permits: ‘We have done nothing wrong’

Necessary correction and a reminder that governments and stakeholders need to be more mindful of raising expectations and avoid creating situations that require reversals or tightening:

…Government says update was to ‘clarify’ criteria 

In 2024, Ottawa made drastic changes to the international student program amid a public backlash against the soaring temporary resident population, in part by restricting access to the coveted postgraduation work permits. 

International graduates must meet new language proficiency requirements and those completing public college diploma programs will only be eligible for postgraduation work permits if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada.

According to data obtained recently by Vancouver immigration lawyer Steven Meurrens, the approval rate for postgraduate work permits has dropped by 8 percentage points from 87 per cent in 2023 to 79 per cent as of November 2025.

The Immigration Department said there have been no changes to the eligibility criteria for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) program, and the website was updated just to “clarify” the existing rules involving non-credit programs.

“To be eligible for a PGWP, applicants must complete a program of study that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate from a designated learning institution,” it explained in an email. “This long-standing requirement does not include general interest programs, ESL/FSL programs, and other types of non-credit programs.”

The department said it does not track data specific to non-credit study programs and therefore couldn’t provide the number of postgraduation work permit refusals based on this ground.

Source: Why hundreds of international students are suddenly being denied Canadian work permits: ‘We have done nothing wrong’