PGWP eligible Programs Canada | 2025
Updated Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Guidelines
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just updated the details regarding eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). If you’re an international student planning to stay and work in Canada after your studies, these updates are important to know.
New Field of Study Requirements for PGWP Applicants
In a major change announced in September, the IRCC introduced additional field of study criteria for international graduates who apply for a study permit after November 1. Specifically, some programs will now have stricter requirements based on the fields of study.
What Are the Eligible Fields of Study for PGWPs?
To help with matching education to the Canadian job market, IRCC now aligns eligible study fields with occupation categories from Express Entry (introduced in 2023). These categories are crucial for Canada’s national labour needs. The eligible fields are:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trade
- Transport
Understanding the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)
The IRCC uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system to categorize educational programs. This system is similar to Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) for jobs, providing a clear match between education and work.
Here’s a quick look at some of the eligible programs within these fields and their CIP codes:
New Language Criteria for PGWP Applicants
Along with the field of study updates, there are also new language proficiency requirements for PGWP applicants. The language requirements vary depending on the level of education:
| Type Of Industry | Rise in employment | % of increase |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 33,000 | 1.80% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 22,000 | 1.10% |
| Construction | 19,000 | 1.20% |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 15,000 | 1.30% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 13,000 | 1.20% |
| Agriculture | 10,000 | 4.40% |
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
