As the flow of Immigrants to Canada touched unsustainable levels, the Canadian Government announced changes to its work permit rules to address various concerns as to
- Bringing number of temporary residents to manageable levels;
- Temporary workers be allowed only for industries experiencing shortages, and allow only temporary workers who can contribute to the Canadian economy and fill critical labor needs.
- Some concerns have been raised about the potential impact of foreign workers on the Canadian labor market, particularly with respect to wages and job opportunities for domestic workers. The changes are intended to address these concerns and ensure a fair and balanced immigration system.
Discussions in 30 Seconds hideRecent changes in Canada’s work permit rules aim to ensure that the immigration system is not being exploited and that work permits are being issued to genuine candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.
The revised rules shall be applicable to Students applying for work permit after 1st November 24 while students who applied for or held a study permit before 1 November 2024 will remain eligible for a PGWP under the existing rules.
Students making application on or after 1st November 24 will be subject to the new guidelines. Under new rules, “field of study” requirement has been introduced for graduates from colleges.
RCC has listed 966 programs that are considered eligible, under “field of Study” covering five broad areas:
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Skilled trades
- Transportation
There are some fields of education that are missing from the eligible fields now available in new Canadian Post Graduate Work Permit rules and prominent of them are business and hospitality, marketing services etc. Hospitality sector has been attracting lots of students from India and other Asian Countries and these are the students who are expected to be affected the most.
Key Changes to Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program:
Language Proficiency Requirement: Applicants must now demonstrate a minimum level of English or French language proficiency.
Field of Study Requirement: The eligible fields of study for PGWP have been narrowed down to focus on occupations experiencing long-term shortages in Canada.
Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs):
Eligibility Restrictions: SOWPs will be limited to spouses of highly skilled, specialized workers in industries with critical labor shortages.
Reduced Issuance of Spousal Open Work Permits: The government aims to reduce the issuance of SOWPs by approximately 100,000 over the next three years.
Impact on International Students and Their Families
These changes will have a significant impact on international students and their families. While the PGWP program remains open, the additional language proficiency and field of study requirements may limit eligibility for some students. Additionally, the restrictions on SOWPs could make it more difficult for spouses of international students to obtain work permits.
Implications for Employers
Employers in Canada will need to adapt to the new rules. They may face challenges in recruiting and retaining international talent, especially in sectors that rely heavily on foreign workers. It is essential for employers to stay informed about the changes and explore alternative strategies to address labor shortages.
It’s important to note that these changes are still relatively new, and their full impact may not be apparent for some time.
Impact of Canada’s Work Permit Changes on Various Industries
The recent changes to Canada’s work permit rules will have varying impacts on different industries. Here are some key areas that are expected to be affected:
Technology and Innovation: The focus on skilled workers in industries experiencing shortages are not likely to impact the technology sector, which often relies on foreign talent. While New rules do place any restrictions on hiring temporary workers in technology sector experiencing shortage of talent, overall number of work permits approved may come down.
The changes may also make it more difficult for startups and smaller tech companies to recruit international employees.
Healthcare: The healthcare industry, particularly in rural areas, often faces shortages of healthcare professionals. While the changes may help to address these shortages in the long term, they could also create short-term challenges for hospitals and clinics.
Agriculture and Food Processing: These industries have traditionally relied on foreign workers, particularly for seasonal labor. The changes may make it more difficult to fill these positions, potentially impacting food production and prices.
Hospitality and Tourism: The hospitality industry, which is heavily reliant on foreign workers, may face challenges in filling positions such as chefs, servers, and housekeepers. This could lead to higher labor costs and potentially impact the quality of service.