Canada Updates Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules: New Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Exciting news for international graduates in Canada! Beginning November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement new guidelines for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These changes are designed to better match education with the needs of the job market and language skills.

New Field of Study Requirements

To qualify for a PGWP, international graduates must meet specific field of study requirements. The eligible fields mirror Canada's Express Entry system, focusing on national labour market needs. These fields include agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as trade and transport.

Examples of eligible programs by field include Agricultural business and management, Animal health, Special education and teaching, Computer programming, Electrician, and Heavy equipment maintenance technology. You can find your Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code by visiting Statistics Canada's CIP 2021 webpage, searching for your program title, or browsing through study categories.

Language Requirements

In addition to the field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced language proficiency requirements. University bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree holders must demonstrate CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all four language areas. Other university programs require CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all four language areas, with an eligible field of study. College programs require CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) in all four language areas, with an eligible field of study.

What is PGWP?

The PGWP is an open work permit allowing international graduates from eligible Canadian institutions to gain valuable work experience in Canada. The permit duration depends on the study program length, typically lasting between eight months and three years.

These changes apply to graduates applying for a PGWP after November 1, 2024. Those applying before this date are exempt from field of study requirements but must meet language criteria. Gaining Canadian work experience through PGWP can help international graduates qualify for permanent residence under Canada's Express Entry system.