Canada’s PGWP program growing popularity.

In the last years, the popularity and number of study permit holders in Canada’s international education have risen significantly. This steep rise in popularity is due to Canada’s PGWP program.

This PGWPP gives the students an opportunity to stay and work in Canada after graduation. Students must be graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) to avail this opportunity of work permit which can length from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the duration of the program completed by the student. This opportunity can act as a launchpad for international students.

The secondary benefit of this program is the opportunity to start in the direction of permanent residency (PR) and citizenship. The work experience that the students get from this program will help to increase the chances of PR and citizenship.

Canada’s PGWP program Key points to focus on

• In 2020, 98% of students who applied for PGWP got success
• Comparing to 2019, in 2020 25% more PGWPs were issued due to the rising popularity of PGWPP among smaller markets
• Comparing to 2016, in 2020 124% more PGWPs were issued

Growth of Canada’s PGWP program 

PGWPP was started in the year 2000. Since then, the number of students applying to Canada’s PGWPP has increased considerably. Over the past five years, enrollment has increased by an astonishing 124%.

Where is this increasing growth coming from

This increasing growth is coming from rising student interest and growing international students number in Canada.

Which are the top countries for PGWPP?

As you may think, the countries that are producing students for study permits each year are also the top countries for PGWPPs. Out of the top 10 countries that have been issued PGWP in 2020 are the top 8 countries for new study permits issued.

The top five countries from the list are India, China, Vietnam, France, and Brazil. India ranks number one for the number of study permits issued and also has the highest number of PGWPs issued in 2020. The second number is China in terms of the number of study permits and PGWPs issued in 2020. 

The top 10 countries ranked for PGWP displayed a positive year-over-year change from 2019 to 2020. But only Iran, Morocco, and the Phillippines grew more over 2019 to 2020 than 2018 to 2019. This signifies that there are many source countries for PGWP other than the top 10 whose students are starting to get PGWP at a higher rate than before. 

In 2020, 32 different countries reported a 25%+ increase in students issued PGWPs. This rise is an inspiring and reassuring sign to agents and students in smaller countries globally. It indicates that deciding to study abroad in Canada can lead to useful work experience, and later PR, regardless of the origin country size. International students who gain valuable work experience after studies and want to explore immigration options should be excited about the variety of options within the PGWP program and strongly consider institutes of Canada during the application process.

Conclusion

As we have discussed these numbers, institutes of Canada should be excited about these numbers. Canadian institutions should focus on PGWP to PR pathway value proposition, with strong study offerings, when selecting students from growing countries. 

Students who come from countries with the highest number of PGWPs issued are more interested in the post-graduation from the Canadian school. 

Students from all around the world are showing great interest to gain work experience in Canada. 98% acceptance rate of PGWPP gives students a great opportunity to work in Canada after graduation.

The recent data of Canada’s PGWP program is a reason to be excited for students, agents, and institutes. 

The following are the key takeaways for everyone who is part of Canada’s international education:

• • Students – Consider PGWPP eligibility when selecting Canadian universities
  • Agents – Discuss rising PGWPP growth with potential students and aware them of post-graduation employment opportunities after studies in Canada.
  • Institutes – Focus on the value proposition of studying in Canada before applying for PGWP.