In order to preserve the integrity of the Foreign Student Program in Quebec, the provincial and federal governments have announced a measure aimed at tightening access to the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) for people who have studied in non-subsidized institutions.
Thus, only students who have graduated from a subsidized study program will have access to this work permit. This measure comes after shortcomings were identified by an investigation by the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education.
“It is important to act to preserve the integrity of our immigration programs, which must promote lasting integration into Quebec society,” declared the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister of Immigration. , Jean Boulet.
To prevent Quebec from becoming a gateway to settling permanently in the country, the government has asked the federal government to harmonize the eligibility rules for the PGWP with those in effect in the other provinces.
“The change to post-graduation work permit eligibility, which Quebec has requested, will improve the integrity of the program, further align Quebec’s private institutions with those in other provinces, and protect our well-deserved reputation as the destination of choice for foreign students,” said federal Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
Since 2018, non-subsidised private establishments have welcomed a large number of foreign students. Thus, the number of study permits on behalf of these institutions more than doubled for the 2019-2021 period.
“These changes will prevent our school system from being misused and ensure that newcomers can really broaden their training horizons and multiply their prospects here in Quebec,” explained the Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge.
