Canadian immigration officials have unveiled a new list of college programmes eligible for post-graduation work permits, effective November 1, 2024. The update restricts eligibility to graduates from specified fields, including agriculture, healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and transportation. This change significantly impacts international students, particularly those in popular areas like tourism, hospitality, and business, which are now excluded. In addition, starting November 1, 2024, new language proficiency requirements will be implemented. University graduates must demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7, and college graduates must show a CLB score of 5. The decision has sparked concern among educational institutions and industry leaders, who argue it may not adequately address regional labour market needs and could potentially harm local economies reliant on international graduates.
