A case study from Fleming College finds that prior to fall 2024, most international students chose their programs with the intention of living and working in Ontario after graduation, with those who graduated from education, law and healthcare programs more likely to find work in their field.
The 2024 changes to the intake cap on international student permit applications and the eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) have already had a notable impact on the number of international students enrolling in Ontario postsecondary institutions. And because for many international students the PGWP offers a pathway to immigration, it remains a crucial component of their postsecondary enrollment decision making. The ongoing changes to the PGWP program eligibility list, which identifies the fields of study that qualify international graduates for a work permit, make it difficult for those students to plan their future in Ontario and for institutions to manage program offerings and enrollment planning.








