Under standard cases and before the pandemic, all distance learning courses (Online) completed outside Canada were excluded from the time accumulated toward the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) length. The students were required to complete at most 50% of their program online, and time spent studying online from outside Canada was deducted from the length of their PGWP. It means 50% of a student’s courses had to be completed in Canada in person. 

What does Distance Learning mean in Immigration Canada?

E-learning, correspondence, and online courses are all forms of distance learning. Through technology, distance learning allows students to get instruction without physically attending the classroom.

A study permit cannot be provided for this kind of course because, by definition, remote learning does not require one to be in Canada. For instance, if the terms of a foreign national’s work visa forbid them from pursuing education, they are nevertheless permitted to enroll in distance learning courses. However, some distance learning programs have a component of the curriculum in Canada (e.g., special tutorials or the writing of final exams). Even if the in-Canada portion of the program is shorter than six months, a study visa is still required if the whole course of study is more than six months. The study permit should only be valid for the time spent inside Canada.

Can I get PGWP if I study online?

At the pandemic’s peak, temporary measures were presented by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These measures were created to address the impact of international travellers and health concerns. It also has accommodated eligible international students to pursue and complete up to 100% of their program online from inside or outside Canada while remaining eligible for a PGWP and without affecting their eligibility for a potential pathway to permanent residence.  

As the world is returning to pre-pandemic conditions, IRCC encourages international students to return to Canada, which is why they have created a transition period and are now available for students who may need some period to do so. Therefore, the distance learning measures have been extended to August 31, 2023.    

All students registered in a PGWP-eligible program in progress in March 2020 or who began a program of study from spring 2020 up to the summer 2022 semester are not required to complete 50% of their program(s) of study in Canada. They can complete their study program online from outside Canada for up to 100% of their program(s), and the time spent studying outside of Canada can be counted toward the overall length of the PGWP until August 31, 2022. 

Does online class affect PGWP?

International students studying online from abroad or who submit a study permit application by August 31, 2022, will continue to be able to complete up to 100% of their program online without impacting their PGWP eligibility. However, study time completed from abroad starting on September 1, 2023, will be subtracted from the length of their PGWP regardless of when a student has begun their studies.   

Extending temporary distance learning measures will affect those starting programs from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. specifically, these measures will apply:   

• No more than 50% of the credits gained can be completed outside Canada to remain eligible for a PGWP.   
• Studies completed online from outside Canada starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of a future PGWP.   

All other program requirements must be met.