The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in Canada is undergoing significant changes. Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled new eligibility requirements for the PGWP Canada program. These changes will impact international graduates seeking to work in Canada after completing their studies.
PGWP Canada: Updated Field of Study Requirements
Firstly, IRCC has introduced new field of study requirements for PGWP Canada applicants. Starting November 1, some international graduates will need to meet additional criteria based on their field of study to be eligible for a work permit. However, it’s important to note that these new requirements do not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD graduates.
Eligible Fields of Study for PGWP Canada
The PGWP Canada program now aligns with the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023. These categories reflect national labour market needs. Consequently, the eligible fields of study for PGWP Canada include:
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trade
- Transport
To illustrate, here’s a table showcasing some examples of eligible programs for PGWP Canada in each field of study:
| CIP 2021 Title | CIP 2021 Code | Field of Study Category |
| Agricultural business and management, general | 1.0101 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal/livestock husbandry and production | 1.0302 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Plant nursery operations and management | 1.0606 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal health | 1.0903 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Agronomy and crop science | 1.1102 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Special education and teaching, general | 13.1001 | Healthcare |
| Exercise physiology | 26.0908 | Healthcare |
| Physical therapy assistant | 51.0806 | Healthcare |
| Polysomnography | 51.0917 | Healthcare |
| Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist | 51.1002 | Healthcare |
| Computer programming/programmer, general | 11.0201 | STEM |
| Chemical engineering | 14.0701 | STEM |
| Engineering mechanics | 14.1101 | STEM |
| Water, wetlands and marine resources management | 3.0205 | STEM |
| Computer graphics | 11.0803 | STEM |
| Electrician | 46.0302 | Trade |
| Heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician | 47.0201 | Trade |
| Machine tool technology/machinist | 48.0501 | Trade |
| Insulator | 46.0414 | Trade |
| Plumbing technology/plumber | 46.0503 | Trade |
| Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician | 47.0302 | Transport |
| Air traffic controller | 49.0105 | Transport |
| Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor | 49.0205 | Transport |
| Flight instructor | 49.0108 | Transport |
| Transportation and materials moving, other | 49.9999 | Transport |
New Language Requirements for PGWP Canada Applicants
In addition to the field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced language criteria for PGWP Canada eligibility. These requirements vary depending on the level of study:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
| University bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | All fields of study are eligible |
| Any other university program | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
| College program or any other program not listed above | CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
How to Navigate the New PGWP Canada Requirements
To determine if your program is eligible for PGWP Canada, you’ll need to find its Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP.
- Search for keywords related to your program or browse through the available field of study links.
- Choose the relevant sub-category for your program.
- Navigate to the specific instructional program.
- Review the program details, including examples and exclusions.
Conclusion: Preparing for the New PGWP Canada Landscape
These changes to the PGWP Canada program reflect Canada’s efforts to align international graduate employment with labour market needs. As a result, international students planning to apply for a PGWP should carefully consider their field of study and language proficiency. By understanding these new requirements, applicants can better prepare for their post-graduation career in Canada.