Ghana Students Boost Canada Immigration Trends

By Visa Jobs CanadaSeptember 26, 2025September 26, 2025International Students & GraduatesCanada immigration, Ghana students, immigration trends, visa sponsorship, work permits

Have you ever wondered about moving to Canada for work or study? If you’re an international job seeker, it’s important to understand the current trends in immigration, especially concerning work permits and opportunities for permanent residency (PR). One noteworthy trend has emerged recently, especially for students from Ghana.

What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a special work permit that allows international graduates from eligible Canadian institutions to gain practical work experience after completing their studies. It can also be a significant step toward obtaining permanent residency (PR) in Canada. Currently, there are 920 fields of study that qualify for a PGWP, although eligibility has become more stringent over recent years.

Ghanaian Students Stand Out

Interestingly, Ghanaian students in Canada experienced an impressive 8% increase in PGWP approvals during the first half of 2025. This is especially remarkable given that the overall number of international students in Canada has dropped significantly due to tighter immigration policies.

According to analysis from education consultancy ApplyBoard, Ghanaian students have maintained a remarkable 92% approval rate for PGWPs even as other countries have been witnessing declines. In fact, Canada saw more than 88,000 fewer international students arrive in 2025 compared to previous years, primarily due to stricter study permit limits.

Changes in Canada’s Immigration Landscape

Canada’s immigration landscape has seen substantial changes since 2024. There have been cuts to study permits, with a total cap of 437,000 set for 2025. The new restrictions involve tougher financial requirements and limited access to spousal work permits for most international students. Still, Ghana’s performance has been a bright spot in this tougher environment. Approval rates for study permits from Ghana surged by 225% in the last quarter, showcasing the strong rapport between Ghanaian and Canadian educational institutions.

The Importance of Choice and Preparation

Many Ghanaian students are pursuing programs in priority sectors like healthcare, technology, and engineering. These areas are hot commodities under Canada’s immigration policies and are often in demand in the job market. The alignment between educational programs and the needs of the Canadian labour market can be crucial for international students, especially in a time of increased scrutiny.

Eligibility Concerns and Challenges

What’s important to note is that reforms to the PGWP program in November 2024 have made things tougher for many students. Eligibility now depends primarily on attending specific public institutions and prioritizing fields like healthcare and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This shift has made several programs, particularly in liberal arts and business, ineligible for the PGWP, thereby affecting diverse groups of students from various countries.

Despite these challenges, Ghanaian students have shown resilience and strategy in their choices, allowing them to thrive amidst a more selective immigration environment. However, the larger picture shows potential declines in international student populations across Canada, with projections of a 25% decrease at colleges as new policies take effect.

Looking Ahead

For those eyeing employment opportunities in Canada, the success of Ghanaian students may serve as a model for others, showing how strategic program selection and academic preparation can help navigate Canada’s increasingly competitive immigration landscape. The Canadian government maintains annual immigration targets of 500,000 new residents, which highlights the ongoing demand for skilled workers and international students.

If you’re exploring job opportunities from overseas or aim to study in Canada, check out our website, VisaJobsCanada.com. We specifically focus on Canadian jobs that offer visa sponsorship to international applicants. Every listing includes essential visa support, making it easier for you to transition into life in Canada.