Canada Releases New Guidelines for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Starting November 1, 2024, Canada’s updated PGWP guidelines will require international graduates to meet specific field-of-study and language criteria which was released by the IRCC.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced updated guidelines regarding eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Effective November 1st, 2024, international graduates must meet additional criteria linked to their fields of study to qualify for the PGWP.

The new rules aim to better align the work permit process with Canada’s labour market demands, ensuring that international graduates possess skills relevant to the economy.

Eligible Fields of Study

Eligibility for the PGWP will now focus on specific fields that align with the Express Entry categories introduced in 2023. These fields include:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food
• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trade
• Transport

Each program is identified using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), a system used to categorize educational programs, similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) for jobs. Below are some examples of eligible programs:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food: Agricultural business management (CIP 01.0101), animal health (CIP 01.0903)
• Healthcare: Exercise physiology (CIP 26.0908), physical therapy assistant (CIP 51.0806)
• STEM: Computer programming (CIP 11.0201), chemical engineering (CIP 14.0701)
• Trade: Electrician (CIP 46.0302), plumbing technology (CIP 46.0503)
• Transport: Air traffic controller (CIP 49.0105), truck driver (CIP 49.0205)

The IRCC encourages students to visit its official website for a complete list of eligible programs.

How to Check Program Eligibility

Graduates can confirm whether their program qualifies for the PGWP by locating the relevant CIP code:

1. Visit the Statistics Canada website for the 2021 CIP.
2. Use the search bar or browse categories related to their program.
3. Select the appropriate sub-category to view detailed program descriptions and exclusions.

This process ensures graduates can accurately assess their eligibility based on their academic background.

New Language Requirements

The updated guidelines also introduce specific language requirements for PGWP applicants. The required proficiency levels depend on the type of program completed:

• University Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral):
• English: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 across all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing).
• French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in all areas.
• Other University Programs:
• Same CLB 7 or NCLC 7 requirements as above, with a focus on eligible fields.
• College or Non-University Programs:
• CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French for all four skills, along with graduation from an eligible program.

International students seeking French proficiency certification can take an approved language assessment recognized by the Canadian government, such as those offered through the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. These assessments measure speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities, and students receive scores corresponding to NCLC levels.

Transition Period

Students applying for a PGWP before November 1st will not need to meet the new field-specific requirements. However, they must still comply with the existing language proficiency standards.

These changes reflect Canada’s effort to streamline its immigration process to better address national economic needs while supporting employers and industries across the country.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, NAIRAMETRICS