Gunness & Assocaites | Canadian Immigration specialists in Ontario

Canada extended measures for PGWP distance learning On September 1, 2023, the Government of Canada extended measures allowing international students using the PGWP distance learning option to pursue their higher education in Canada to be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).  PGWP distance learning measures The measures introduced on October 6, 2022, and set to expire on August 31, 2023, have been extended to December 31, 2023.  Students who start their online study program between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, will be able to count the time spent studying online outside of Canada until December 31, 2023, toward the overall length of the PGWP if it does not exceed 50% of the program. For more information please connect with an Immigration Consultant. What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?  Students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program, which e

  IRCC announced a new update for Student direct-stream applications On August 30, 2023, the Canadian Government updated the eligibility requirements for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) language test results. The new requirements align with the Ministerial Instructions effective August 10, 2023.  The Government will accept additional academic tests from designated organizations and another test from a non-designated organization.  The update clarifies that banks may disburse the remaining funds of a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) in any accepted arrangement with an applicant after the initial disbursement upon arrival in Canada. Although the Government recommended disbursing GIC funds in monthly or bimonthly installments, this does not affect an applicant's SDS eligibility. What are the criteria for a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC)?  The GIC must fulfill the following requirements: The bank gives the applicant a letter of attestation, the GIC certificate, the conf

  IRCC will modernize the International Student Program Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will modernize its International Student Program by implementing a Trusted Institution Framework by 2024. This framework will create a two-tiered structure with post-secondary institutions being assessed against criteria to show that they are reliable partners.  Institutions that meet the requirements will receive benefits such as expedited application processing. DLIs must provide additional data to the government, including: retention rates,  on-time program completion rates,  revenues from international tuition,  institutional spending on international student support services,  housing availability, and  teacher-student ratios.  The government will establish the initial Trusted Institution destinations in the spring of 2024 and may consider caps on the number of international students due to rapid growth in application volumes. If Trusted Institutions meet specific criteria,