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Canada grants international Masters students 3-year post graduate work permit

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2024

Canada grants international Masters students 3-year post graduate work permit

International students studying for a master’s program less than two years in length are now eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

Previously, the duration of a granted PGWP was linked to the duration of the study program. However, acknowledging the potential of master’s students to excel in Canada’s job market, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opted to broaden the eligibility criteria for these students to receive extended work permits.

Details of the eligibility 

Nairametrics learns that PGWPs issued to students enrolled in programs other than master’s level will still align with the program’s duration, capped at three years.

Additionally, students in programs at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs), which are at least two years long, qualify for an extended three-year PGWP.

In the coming weeks, IRCC will also revise regulations regarding spousal work permits for international students at the undergraduate level.

Consequently, only spouses of students at the master’s and doctoral levels will be eligible for a spousal work permit.

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However, this adjustment will not affect spousal open work permits for the spouses or conjugal partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

What are the PGWP eligibility criteria?

For international students to qualify for a PGWP, they must meet the following criteria:

Completion of studies in an academic, vocational, or professional training program lasting at least eight months at a designated learning institution (DLI) eligible for PGWP issuance.
Enrollment in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Maintenance of full-time student status in Canada throughout each academic session of the completed program or programs of study, as indicated on the PGWP application (with certain exceptions permitted).

Provision of a transcript and an official letter from an eligible DLI confirming fulfilment of program requirements, both of which must be included in the PGWP application.
Have graduated from a public post-secondary institution such as a:
College;
Trade or technical school;
University;
CEGEP (in Quebec);
Private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec;
Private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer and results in the issuance of a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de specialization professionnelle (ASP); or
Canadian private schools that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.

According to the new rule, from September 2024, some students will no longer be eligible to apply for a PGWP.

These are students attending a program that utilizes a curriculum licensing framework (where a private college has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college).

Canada grants international Masters students 3-year post graduate work permit

metro

Father impregnated underaged step-daughter thrice, police tells Lagos court

Published

3 minutes ago

April 18, 2025

Trends Admin

Father impregnated underaged step-daughter thrice, police tells Lagos court

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday heard how a father Adewunmi Ajayi allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with his underaged step-daughter.

The unlawful sexual assault resulted in multiple pregnancies and abortions.

An Investigating Police Officer(IPO), Aderinto Foluke, made this known yesterday while giving evidence before Justice Abiola Soladoye.

The IPO with AP No. 287997 attached to Human Rights Unit of the Nigeria Police testified in the ongoing trial of a couple, Mr. Adewunmi, who is married to the survivor’s mother, Idowu Ajayi.

The woman inspector told the judge the outcome of police investigation into the alleged sexual assault.

According to her, “We concluded that Mr. Adewunmi has been sleeping with the survivors since 2019.

The prosecution witness led by State Prosecution Counsel, Abibat Ogunwemimo, told the court that the incident was reported to the Adeniji Adele Police Station, Lagos Island by a teacher who came with a-15-year old survivor with a referral letter from Alausa.

She further stated that the survivor’s step-father had been having carnal knowledge with the minor and in the process the survivor had two pregnancies, which her mother aborted.

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She claimed the survivor also told them she was pregnant for her step-father the third time.

She said the survivor said she was afraid, so she confided in her teacher because of her mother who she claimed will abort for her again.

The IPO said trouble started for the couple in 2021 when they were arrested by the police.

Following the arrest of the first defendant, Ajayi, his wife, Mrs Idowu Ajayi, the second defendant, went to the police where they wrote statements.

The prosecution witness also said, “The survivor also said she did not notice that her step father used to put drugs in her tea until the day her sister saw left-over particles in the cup.

The IPO said the survivor complained to her grandmother, who in turn, talked to her mother.

She said the mother denied it when she was told but took her daughter to hospital when she complained of stomach pain.

“The girl said she wanted to further her education, that is why she reported to her teacher.

“We gave her a referral paper and when the result came she was pregnant.

“We found out that the mother had taken her for abortions two times.

Under cross examination by the Defence Counsel Emmanuel Uwadoka, the IPO said she investigated the matter.

She however said she didn’t visit the crime scene nor the hospital.

She maintained that the survivor told the police that something was put in her tea.

She also claimed she spoke with the survivor’s grandmother over the phone during her investigation.

Two statements, a medical referral letter and a medical result were admitted as exhibits by the court.

Justice Soladoye adjourned the matter till May 28 for continuation of trial.

Father impregnated underaged step-daughter thrice, police tells Lagos court

metro

Military replaces theatre commander in Borno over renewed terrorist attacks

Published

13 minutes ago

April 18, 2025

Trends Admin

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

Military replaces theatre commander in Borno over renewed terrorist attacks

Authorities of the Nigerian military have commenced tactical changes in some of its operations to contain the renewed attacks in Plateau, Borno and other states.

With the changes, which began yesterday with the Nigerian army, the force that commands ground troops against external aggression, are expected to be extended to the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy in a few days.

Sources in the military confided in our correspondent that top officers had been redeployed to strengthen ongoing operations.

The Theatre Commander for North East Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State and the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, were among the senior officers redeployed.

It was gathered that Major General A.E. Abubakar is now the new Theatre Commander for OPHK; while Major-General A.K Ibrahim, is the new Commandant for Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

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A source said the new commander and other tactical and strategic commanders redeployed would assume duties after the Easter celebration.

The Theatre Commander, Major-General Shuaibu Waidi, took over the leadership of the theatre on January 30, 2024 from Major-General Gold Chibuisi to sustain the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the region.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum had recently said nothing much had changed in terms of the activities of the insurgents.

Zulum, had last Tuesday while heading an expanded Security Council meeting held at the council chambers, Government House, Maiduguri, said the state was at risk of returning to turmoil.

“Many military locations were dislodged, especially in Wulgo, Sabongari, Wajirko among others. It seems we are losing ground and this is a very important thing that we need to discuss. Peace has gradually returned to Borno within the last 3 years, but we are witnessing sporadic attacks in recent times,” Zulum had said.

Other officers redeployed are: Major-General B.I. Alaya, Director-General, DICON; Major-General M.K Gara and Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, K.O. Ukandu, among others.

Military replaces theatre commander in Borno over renewed terrorist attacks

metro

Police rescue 2 pastors abducted from Lokoja mountain

Published

44 minutes ago

April 18, 2025

Trends Admin

Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Ovye Aya

Police rescue 2 pastors abducted from Lokoja mountain

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of two victims of last Friday’s attack on worshippers on the Akpamoba-Igbola prayer mountain in Agbaja area of Lokoja Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesman, ASP William Aya, disclosed this during a chat with our correspondent in Lokoja.

He identified the rescued victims as pastors Adura Kayode and Kingsley Ebong of the City of Grace Prophetic Liberation Church.

He said the rescued pastors had been reunited with their families, adding that security operatives are still combing the forest in the area to rescue more of the abducted worshippers.

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Meanwhile, the chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, has charged security operatives to sustain the search, rid the forest of all criminal elements and restore sanity.

The chairman, in a statementby his special adviser, Yusuf Bala, called on residents of the area to remain calm as security personnel are on the trail of the criminals.

The worshippers were attacked by some armed men, suspected to be kidnappers during a night vigil last Friday at Akpamoba-Igbola Mountain in Agbaja area. They whisked an unspecified number of them into the bush.

The rescue of the two pastors has brought the number of freed victims to three, including a woman, Mary Adams Gur,who regained her freedom on the night of the incident when men of the state vigilante services stormed the forest.