Canada Work Permit New Deadlines For 2024 | How To Apply

Exciting news: the Government of Canada has announced new work permit deadlines for international students graduating from public-private programs between September 1st and May 15th of each year.

Canada and the United States continue to be top choices for international students due to the ease with which they can obtain work permits after graduation. The international education sector contributes approximately US$16 billion to the Canadian government each year.

This post contains all of the updated dates and deadlines for the Canada Work Permit. We will also take you through the application process step by step.

Purpose of New Canada Work Permit Date

On March 22, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued an announcement to prevent schools from changing admission dates in anticipation of a policy change.

The application date change was announced to help manage population growth and address the country’s housing challenges. The Canadian government intends to impose a two-year cap on international student admissions beginning in 2024.

Who Can Apply for Canada Work Permit?

Several educational institutions have announced that the new academic year will begin in June or August. Previously, foreign students were admitted to public schools through public-private partnerships and then transferred to private institutions once paid.

Students who graduate from a public school, on the other hand, may be eligible to apply for work permits. Despite the ban, students can now seek alternative work permits, especially in fields with labor shortages.

New Strict Canada Rules

Starting May 15th, students enrolled in private-public partnership programs will be ineligible for postgraduate work visa. However, students pursuing other programs in Canada remain eligible.

Since October 2023, Canada has imposed stricter rules for foreign students, citing increased immigration, which has resulted in housing shortages and rent increases.

To alleviate pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services, IRCC intends to admit 360,000 new students, a 35% decrease from the previous year.

According to the Immigration and Refugee Committee of Canada (IRCC), on January 22, 2024, overseas students who complete college courses through public-private curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for post-graduation work visas.

This decision is expected to have a significant impact on Ontario, which has at least 14 public-private partnership schools, and will result in the loss of approximately 133,000 international students. According to Jill Dunlop, chair of Ontario’s university and college management authority, public schools would receive 96% of international study permits.

How To Apply for Canada Work Permit

There are 2 types of work permits.

Employer-specific work permit

An employer-specific work permit lets you work in Canada according to the conditions on your work permit, such as

• the name of the specific employer you can work for
• how long you can work
• the location where you can work (if applicable)

Before you apply for an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you

• a copy of your employment contract
• 1 of the following:
• a copy of a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
• an offer of employment number (for LMIA-exempt workers)
• To get this number, your employer must use the Employer Portal.

If your employer doesn’t need to use the Employer Portal

If your employer does not need to use the Employer Portal to submit an offer of employment, they must give you a copy of the employment contract.

Open work permit

An open work permit lets you work for any employer in Canada, except for one that

• is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
• regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages. You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.

Some jobs require a medical exam. If you don’t want medical conditions on your open work permit, you can get a medical exam from a panel physician.

If you want to bring your family with you

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may be able to work, study or live with you while you work in Canada.

Bringing your family to Canada with you.

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Work Permit

There are specific requirements you need to meet depending on where you are when you apply for your work permit.

But regardless of where you apply or which type of work permit you apply for, you must

• Prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires;
• Show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home;
• Obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate);
• Not be a danger to Canada’s security;
• Be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed;
• Not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions;
• Not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages; and
• Give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

Further Information can be obtained from IRCC website.