Canada has revised the list of educational programs that qualify international students for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), aligning it with the country’s labour market needs. The new list, released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on 25 June, adds 119 fields of study to the PGWP eligibility list and removes 178 existing ones.
According to a report by CIC News, these changes affect international students enrolled in non-degree programs who apply for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024. Students who applied before 25 June 2025 are not affected and will remain eligible under the rules that existed at the time of their application.
There are now 920 programs that qualify for PGWP. IRCC removed all transport-related programs and retained only one program under agriculture and agri-food. In contrast, new additions include fields linked to in-demand occupations in healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
Among newly eligible programs are veterinary medicine, dentistry, cabinetmaking, and construction project management. Education programs such as biology teacher education and French language teacher education have also been added for the first time.
In the STEM category, programs in architecture and landscape design were added, while courses like environmental studies and marine resources management were removed. Trades such as solar energy and drywall installation lost eligibility.
Quoting IRCC’s rationale, the update said the ineligible programs were removed because “the occupations they are linked to are no longer experiencing labour shortages.”
This change is closely aligned with Canada’s Express Entry immigration categories, which were also revised earlier this year. Both systems now reflect a shared focus on addressing current labour market gaps.
All PGWP applicants must still meet language proficiency criteria. Non-university graduates must score CLB/NCLC level 5, while university graduates must meet level 7. Graduates from flight schools remain exempt from field-specific eligibility.
Newly added PGWP-eligible courses comprise of:
According to a report by CIC News, these changes affect international students enrolled in non-degree programs who apply for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024. Students who applied before 25 June 2025 are not affected and will remain eligible under the rules that existed at the time of their application.
There are now 920 programs that qualify for PGWP. IRCC removed all transport-related programs and retained only one program under agriculture and agri-food. In contrast, new additions include fields linked to in-demand occupations in healthcare, education, and skilled trades.
Among newly eligible programs are veterinary medicine, dentistry, cabinetmaking, and construction project management. Education programs such as biology teacher education and French language teacher education have also been added for the first time.
In the STEM category, programs in architecture and landscape design were added, while courses like environmental studies and marine resources management were removed. Trades such as solar energy and drywall installation lost eligibility.
Quoting IRCC’s rationale, the update said the ineligible programs were removed because “the occupations they are linked to are no longer experiencing labour shortages.”
This change is closely aligned with Canada’s Express Entry immigration categories, which were also revised earlier this year. Both systems now reflect a shared focus on addressing current labour market gaps.
All PGWP applicants must still meet language proficiency criteria. Non-university graduates must score CLB/NCLC level 5, while university graduates must meet level 7. Graduates from flight schools remain exempt from field-specific eligibility.
Newly added PGWP-eligible courses comprise of:
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