This news is especially important for those taking the post-graduate certificate programs. Now you are eligible for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) even if 100% of your study is online. However, at least 50% of your study should be in Canada (but still can be delivered online). For additional details please consult the IRCC site (link below).
Updated 26 August guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) includes three important announcements for international students.
Through 30 April 2021, IRCC is now allowing students to begin their studies online while still abroad and to count those remote studies towards post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility – provided that at least 50% of their program is eventually completed in Canada.
Students enrolled in programs of between 8 to 12 months in length, and with start dates between May and September 2020, will be allowed to complete their entire programs via online study while abroad and still remain eligible for a PGWP in Canada.
Finally, those students enrolled in programs beginning between May and September 2020 – and who study online in the period up to 30 April 2021 and graduate from more than one eligible program – may combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit (so long as at least 50% of their total studies are completed in Canada).
In order to be eligible for any of these options, students must have submitted a study permit application before beginning studies in spring, summer, or fall 2020, or the January 2021 semester.