Private Quebec college graduates will no longer qualify for PGWP

Private Quebec college graduates will no longer qualify for PGWP beginning in September 2023.

Are you a current or prospective student in Quebec? International students enrolled at unsubsidized private colleges in Quebec will no longer qualify for post-graduation work permits (PGWP) beginning September 1, 2023, according to the Canadian federal government.

This occurs after the Quebec government contacted Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada in an alliance with the regional government in Ottawa to recommend that only graduate students from government and subsidized private universities in Quebec be qualified to apply for the post-graduation work visa.

The measure revealed in a press statement dated June 7, 2022, aims to protect the academic integrity of foreign students enrolled in Canada. It also attempts to address problems discovered during an evaluation of certain unsubsidized private colleges by Quebec’s Ministry of Higher Education.

According to Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigrants and refugees, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, Canada acknowledges the immense social, cultural, and economic advantages that international students offer to the country.

Making the changes that Quebec decided to seek to postgrad working visa suitability will enhance the platform’s professionalism, introduce Quebec’s independent schools more now in connection with those of other provinces, and protect Quebec’s well-deserved reputation as a Landmark of opportunity and choice, according to Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration.

Explanation of the post-graduation work permit

A post-graduation work visa is a type of open work permit that permits overseas passed ou students to work for any business in Canada even if they do not have a job offer.

After finishing their education, students can work for up to 2-3 years (depending on their Canadian degree) before applying for permanent residency in Canada.

According to CBC News, acquiring a post-graduation work visa through Quebec’s unsubsidized private learning institutions has been a big selling factor for overseas students.

Since 2018, these colleges have attracted a high number of overseas students.

From 2016 to 2018, roughly 4,900 foreign students acquired a study permit, with an expected 11,500 international students from 2019 to 2021.

Private institutions are outraged by the announcement of post-graduation work permits.

Many private institutions, according to CBC News, were quick to condemn the decision.

The National Association of Career Colleges released a statement expressing disappointment with the decision, claiming that such colleges are vital to the province and the country as a whole.

For many months, the educational sector has sought to engage the Quebec government to understand their doubts or concerns about the post-graduate work permit and create effective solutions together, said Michael Sangster, the association’s CEO.

Michael McAlliste, director-general of Herzing College, stated that his school is among those being penalized for difficulties at a small number of colleges.

According to them they did nothing wrong, and now the entire sector is being punished, he explained, adding stated he would have liked to collaborate with the provincial administration to develop a strategy to address the province’s labor need and attract more overseas students who speak French

In May 2022, the provincial government launched a tuition-reduction program for French-speaking overseas students at certain Quebec institutions and colleges.

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