Revised Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules for Foreign Students in Canada
As of June 2025, the Canadian government has revised the eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to better match the country's labor market needs. The changes, which were initially set to take effect on November 1, 2024, have been slightly postponed.
The key updates include:
1. **Targeted Field of Study Requirements**: The PGWP is now exclusively linked to academic programs that align with Canada's labor market needs. Only programs on the updated eligibility list qualify for PGWP[1][2][3].
2. **New Fields Added**: A total of 119 new fields have been added to the eligibility list, focusing on high-demand sectors such as healthcare, education, and skilled trades[1][2][3]. Some of the new programs include veterinary medicine, dentistry, teacher education, architecture, and various trades like cabinetmaking and CNC machinist training.
3. **Fields Removed**: A total of 178 fields that no longer align with Canada's labor market needs have been removed from the eligibility list[1][2][3]. This includes transport-related programs, agriculture and marine resources programs, environmental studies, and trades such as solar energy technology, drywall installation, electrical maintenance, and building/property maintenance.
4. **Grandfathering Provision**: International students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, will remain eligible for a PGWP if their field of study was on the approved list at the time of application, even if it has since been removed[1][3][5].
5. **Non-Degree Programs**: Students in non-degree programs, who applied for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024, must be in an eligible field of study to qualify for a PGWP[1][3].
6. **Verification Process**: Students can verify if their program qualifies by checking the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code and using the IRCC's PGWP eligibility tool[2].
All international students applying for a PGWP must meet the minimum language requirements. The PGWP allows international students who have completed eligible programs at designated learning institutions (DLIs) to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation.
International students planning to study in Canada should verify if their intended non-degree program appears on Canada's updated PGWP-eligible program list. The total number of eligible programs to study for international students now stands at 920 in Canada.
Canada's new post-study work permit rules create greater opportunities for students in fields where Canada urgently needs skilled workers, such as healthcare, skilled trades, and technology. Students should stay informed about potential future changes, with the next major update expected in early 2026.
[1] IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) [2] Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) [3] Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) [4] Designated Learning Institution (DLI) [5] Transitional rules
- The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) now solely links to academic programs that align with Canada's labor market needs, specifically those in sectors such as healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
- A significant number of new fields have been added to the PGWP-eligible program list, totaling 119, which includes programs like veterinary medicine, dentistry, teacher education, architecture, and various trades.
- Conversely, some fields no longer aligning with Canada's labor market needs have been removed from the eligibility list, totaling 178, including transport-related programs, agriculture and marine resources programs, environmental studies, and certain trade programs.
- International students who applied for a study permit prior to June 2025, even if their field of study has since been removed, will remain eligible for a PGWP as long as it was on the approved list at the time of application under the grandfathering provision.
