The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an essential pathway for international students in Canada to gain work experience post-graduation. As of November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced significant updates regarding PGWP eligibility. The new guidelines apply to students outside of university bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, with stricter field of study and language requirements.
Eligible Fields of Study
PGWP eligibility is now tied to specific fields of study that align with national labor market needs. These fields reflect IRCC’s occupation-based approach introduced in 2023. The five major categories of eligible fields include:
Agriculture and Agri-food
Healthcare
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Trade
Transport
CIP Codes for PGWP Eligibility
Each eligible program is categorized using Canada’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system. Below is a table highlighting examples of eligible programs and their corresponding CIP codes.
Field of Study | CIP Code | Example Programs |
Agriculture and Agri-food | 01.0101 | Agricultural business and management |
Healthcare | 51.0806 | Physical therapy assistant |
STEM | 14.0701 | Chemical engineering |
Trade | 46.0302 | Electrician |
Transport | 49.0105 | Air traffic controller |
How to Find Your CIP Code
To determine if your program is eligible for a PGWP, you can use Statistics Canada’s website to search for the appropriate CIP code. Here’s how:
Visit the Statistics Canada CIP page.
Search for keywords related to your program or browse through the categories.
Review sub-categories and select the relevant one.
Check the detailed instructional programs and corresponding CIP codes.
Language Requirements for PGWP Applicants
In addition to field of study criteria, IRCC has introduced new language requirements based on the level of study. Here is a summary of the updated language criteria:
Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD | CLB 7 or NCLC 7 | All fields of study are eligible |
Other university programs | CLB 7 or NCLC 7 | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
College or non-university programs | CLB 5 or NCLC 5 | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
Note: Students applying before November 1, 2024, are not subject to these new field of study requirements, but they must meet the language criteria.
These updates reflect IRCC’s focus on aligning immigration policy with labor market needs, providing international students clearer pathways to remain in Canada post-graduation while ensuring they meet the criteria necessary to contribute effectively to the workforce.