Canada could make big change to international student work permit requirements

Work permit requirements in Canada may change for international students and foreign apprentices.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations on April 1 that aim to "streamline study and work authorizations for foreign nationals in Canada."

"This change would reduce administrative burden and operational inefficiency of requiring foreign nationals to obtain a study and work permit to complete one educational program," stated the IRCC.

What are the proposed changes to work permit rules in Canada

The amendment would remove the co-op work permit requirement for international students and remove the study permit requirement for foreign apprentices who meet certain conditions in Canada.

The agency said that existing authorizations to work without a work permit would be extended to international students who are waiting for a decision on their study permit extension application. It would also apply to international graduates waiting for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application in Canada.

Other related changes would also be made to standardize international students' work authorization during scheduled academic breaks, according to the IRCC.

These proposed changes are in the early stages. The IRCC will be consulting with provinces, territories and key stakeholders about the regulatory changes in early spring.

If the amendments are implemented, international students won't need to submit as many applications when enrolling in co-op programs.

The next step for international students who finish their program is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). While they're waiting for a decision on their PGWP, the IRCC says graduates are allowed to work full-time if they completed their program, were already eligible to work off campus during school, and applied before their study permit expired.

The work authorization extension for people waiting for study permit extensions or a PGWP could give more peace of mind.

The current rules mandate international students enrolled in co-op or work-integrated programs to have both a study permit and a separate co-op work permit. Foreign apprentices must also hold both a study permit and a work permit to finish their training in Canada.

This comes after the federal government announced last June that international students in Canada in non-degree programs for 178 fields of study will no longer be eligible for a PGWP.