Update on public-private college partnership programs for international students

On January 22, 2024, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a change regarding the eligibility for post-graduation work permits for international graduates of college programs delivered through public-private curriculum licensing arrangements. Originally set to take effect on September 1, 2024, the new policy will now be implemented on May 15, 2024.

This alteration means that international students commencing such programs on or after May 15, 2024, will no longer qualify for a post-graduation work permit upon completion.

However, this change does not prevent graduates from applying for other types of work permits after graduation. For instance, they may still apply for a work permit backed by an employer's approved labour market impact assessment, particularly for occupations experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in Canada.

The list of designated learning institutions, indicating whether an institution's graduates are eligible for a post-graduation work permit, is accessible on the IRCC website. IRCC will collaborate with provinces and territories to actively identify affected programs and will continually update this list as new information becomes available.