Expansion of 100% Online Distance Learning Facilitation for PGWP Eligibility

Policy effect

Enhanced PGWP flexibility by allowing international students whose designated learning institution moved programs online to complete up to 100% of their program online from abroad (if the program was between 8 and 12 months and started between May and September 2020) without reducing the length of their eventual Post-Graduation Work Permit, through April 30, 2021.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Enhanced PGWP flexibility by allowing international students whose designated learning institution moved programs online to complete up to 100% of their program online from abroad (if the program was between 8 and 12 months and started between May and September 2020) without reducing the length of their eventual Post-Graduation Work Permit, through April 30, 2021.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… uncertainties with 3 new measures on post-graduation work permit eligibility for students beginning programs online. These changes are being implemented to provide more flexibility on eligibility rules for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program for students who need or want to start their Canadian study program online from abroad. Three changes are being introduced: - Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit, provided 50% of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada. - Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit. - Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit in the future, as long as 50% of their total studies are completed … international students during the COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/08/facilitative-measures-to-support-international-students-affected-by-the-covid-19-pandemic.html) ## Page details 2020-08-26 ## About this site ### Immigration and citizenship - [Help Centre](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/index-featured-can.asp) - [Contact us](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html) - [Check your application status](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check- …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Canada changes operative in 2020

• 2020-01-01Temporary Freeze on the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
• 2020-01-02Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• 2020-03-18COVID-19 Border Restrictions and Essential Exemptions
• 2020-03-20Pandemic Protections for International Students and PGWP
• 2020-03-27Parents and Grandparents Program 2020 Deferral
• 2020-04-09Mandatory Electronic Application Submission and Visitor Processing Suspension
• 2020-04-20Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Emergencies Act and Quarantine Act)
• 2020-04-22Alignment and Factors for Immigration Performance Guarantees and Deposits
• 2020-04-22Temporary Removal of Off-Campus Work Limit for International Students in Essential Services
• 2020-04-29Suspension of Non-Essential Visitor Visa Processing and Biometrics Extension
• 2020-04-30Permanent Residence Application Fee Increases
• 2020-05-06Temporary Foreign Worker Expedited Work Permit and Job Change Public Policy
• 2020-05-15Implementation of the Agri-Food Immigration Class (Agri-Food Pilot)
• 2020-06-05Temporary Biometrics Exemption for Essential Sectors
• 2020-06-08Border Reopening and Entry Exemption for Immediate Family Members
• 2020-06-10Ministerial Instructions on Temporary Resident Processing Restrictions
• 2020-07-01Mandatory Online Submission for Temporary Resident Applications
• 2020-07-15Biometrics Collection Exemption for In-Canada Temporary Residence
• 2020-08-24Temporary Public Policy Allowing In-Land Visitors to Apply for Employer-Specific Work Permits
• 2020-08-31Express Entry Ministerial Instruction Amending ITA Application Submission Validity to 90 Days
• 2020-09-22Biometrics Exemption for Permanent Residence Applicants Who Previously Submitted Biometrics Within 10 Years
• 2020-09-29Re-Opening and Intake Rules for Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP 2020)
• 2020-10-01Ministerial Instructions 42 (MI42): Mandatory Electronic Applications
• 2020-10-08Border Restriction Exemption for Extended Family Members and Compassionate Entry
• 2020-10-20International Student Border Reopening for Approved DLIs
• 2020-10-27Increased Express Entry CRS Points for French-Speaking Candidates
• 2020-11-06Relaxed Work Experience Requirements for the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
• 2020-11-30Launch of Citizenship Grant Electronic Application (e-App)
• 2020-12-09Coming into Force of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act
• 2020-12-14Temporary Public Policy for Certain Refugee Claimants Working in the Health Care Sector (Rest of Canada)
• 2020-12-14Temporary Public Policy for Health Care Workers Selected by Quebec During COVID-19
• 2020-12-16Special Open Work Permit for Stranded Agricultural Workers from Trinidad and Tobago