Canada | New language and study requirements for post-graduation work permits

The Canadian government announced changes to its post-graduate work permit, effective November 1.

Key Points:

• As BAL previously reported, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is implementing new measures on several temporary residence programs, including the post-graduation work permit, which will have stricter language requirements and field of study conditions for international students.
• Study permit applications submitted on or after Nov. 1 must meet the new requirements (situation specific) to be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit, including:
  • Applicants who have graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program must prove English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all four language areas. All fields of study are eligible; there is no additional field of study requirement.
  • Applicants who have graduated from any other university program must prove English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four language areas and must graduate in an eligible field of study.
  • Finally, individuals who have graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above must prove English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four language areas and must graduate in an eligible field of study.

Additional Information: Earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a plan to decrease the number of temporary residents from 6.5% of Canada’s total population to 5% by 2026. The proposed reduction of temporary residents will be reflected in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which is expected to release by Nov. 1.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.