Canada has long been a popular destination for international students, offering a route to permanent residency through its immigration programs.
By the end of 2023, the country had issued post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) to 396,235 international students, nearly three times the number granted in 2018.
Many of these graduates play a vital role in the Canadian workforce, filling positions across various industries.
However, recent changes in immigration policies have created uncertainty for tens of thousands of these individuals, who have invested years in establishing their lives in Canada.
At the same time, Canada’s economic immigration target for 2024 is set at approximately 305,000, aiming to attract skilled workers for critical sectors.
Despite this ambitious goal, many temporary residents, including international graduates on PGWPs, find themselves unable to meet the new permanent residency criteria.
This policy shift has left a significant number of these individuals feeling anxious and frustrated, as their hopes of making Canada their permanent home face new challenges.