International Students Are Still Eligible for PGWP with Online Courses
- Calver Immigration Consulting Inc.
- May 25, 2020
- 2 min read
International Students Can Study Online And Remain Eligible for the PGWP
Many international students and post-secondary institutions expressed concerns to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about students’ eligibility for the Postgraduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP) in light of COVID-19.
Many schools have announced that students will return to their studies online for the Fall 2020 semester. This means that many international students will engage in distance learning. Some students will study online in Canada while others will study online from their home country.
Normally, online courses do not count toward the study requirement for a PGWP application. However, given coronavirus-related travel interruptions around the world, IRCC has made amendments to this restriction.
IRCC has stated that PGWPP eligibility will not be affected for international students whose fall 2020 courses will be online due to COVID-19. Students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and complete up to 50% of their program via distance learning if they cannot travel to Canada sooner.
In addition, international students will not have time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit for studies completed outside of Canada, up to December 31, 2020.
Students must still be registered at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to be eligible for the Postgraduate Work Permit Program.
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
This article clearly highlights how supportive immigration policies can make a real difference for international students, especially during uncertain times like the COVID-19 pandemic. 🌍 Studying abroad continues to be a valuable pathway for students seeking globally recognised education, international exposure, and long-term career opportunities. Flexible measures such as allowing online studies while remaining eligible for post-study work options have helped students continue their academic journey without compromising future prospects.
Canada’s approach during this period reinforced its reputation as a student-friendly destination, offering reassurance to international learners who were unable to travel immediately. Policies like PGWP eligibility for online learning ensured that students could progress academically while still benefiting from post-graduation employment opportunities—an important factor when choosing to study abroad.
This is reassuring news for international students considering online courses while planning for PGWP eligibility. Policy clarity like this helps students make informed decisions, and many also compare factors such as De Montfort University acceptance rate to understand admission chances alongside post-study work opportunities.