IRCC has released the updated details surrounding which programs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Under new guidelines announced in September, some international graduates at various levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to meet additional field of study requirements to be eligible for a work permit*.

*Note: Field of study requirements do not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD graduates.

What are the eligible fields of study for PGWPs?

Eligible fields of study for the PGWP can be categorized by fields that mirror the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023 (which are tied to national labour market needs).

These are:

  • Agriculture and agri-food;

  • Healthcare;

  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);

  • Trade; and

  • Transport.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs in these fields are grouped and listed using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), Canada’s system for describing and categorizing instructional/educational programs in the country; similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for jobs in Canada.

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