Archive · 27 Sep 2025
Canada to Reduce Post-Graduation Work Permits by 30% in 2025
Canada is changing the rules for international students who want to work in the country after they graduate.
They are planning to give out 30% fewer work permits in 2025 compared to 2024.
This means fewer students will be able to stay and work after finishing their studies.
Colleges, universities, and students in fields like engineering and IT will be affected.
This is a part of the government's plan to control the number of international students.
The changes could make it harder for schools to attract students.
Some schools are having to change their programs to match the new requirements.
Canada is projected to approve 30% fewer Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) in 2025.
Approvals in May and June fell more than 56% year-over-year.
Colleges saw a 25% year-over-year decrease, and undergraduates saw a 37% decrease in PGWP approvals.
Business and management programs now account for 44% of approvals.
Indian students represent the largest share of PGWP approvals but volumes fell 29%.
- Who
- International students and Canadian institutions.
- What
- Canada is reducing the number of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) issued.
- When
- The changes are already visible in 2024, with full impact expected in 2025.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- Part of a broader effort to manage student inflows.
- PGWP Reduction in 2025
- 30%
- PGWP Approvals (Projected 2025)
- 143,600
- Decline in Approvals (May-June)
- 56% year-over-year
- Impacted Student Groups
- Colleges, Undergraduates, Masters Students
- Impacted Fields
- Engineering, IT, and Health programs seeing steep declines