In a major policy shift aimed at aligning international education with labour market needs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced sweeping changes to the list of educational programs that qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Study in Canada – Parisa Erfani
Effective June 25, 2025, IRCC has added 119 new fields of study to the list of PGWP-eligible programs while removing 178 fields that no longer align with Canada’s current labour demands.
Who is Affected?
This update only affects international students in non-degree programs—those that do not lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree—and who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, are grandfathered in. This means they remain eligible for a PGWP even if their field of study has since been removed from the eligible list.
What Has Changed?
There are now 920 fields of study deemed eligible for a PGWP, reflecting IRCC’s strategic focus on priority sectors where Canada faces long-term labour shortages. Newly added eligible programs include fields in:
- Healthcare and social services
- Education
- Skilled trades
Conversely, fields that are no longer considered critical to labour market demands have been removed from the PGWP eligibility list.
A full list of PGWP-eligible fields of study is available on the IRCC website.
How This Aligns with Express Entry
The update is part of a broader effort to align post-graduation work eligibility with permanent residency pathways, such as Express Entry. Much like today’s PGWP update, recent Express Entry changes have prioritized occupations in healthcare, skilled trades, and education.
This suggests a unified strategy:
- PGWPs serve short-term work market needs, and
- Express Entry selections target long-term immigration goals—both driven by current labour market priorities.
PGWP Eligibility: What Else Do You Need?
Regardless of program eligibility, students must meet language proficiency standards based on their level of education:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| College bachelor’s degree | CLB/NCLC 7 in all abilities | Not required |
| University degree (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) | CLB/NCLC 7 | Not required |
| University programs not listed above | CLB/NCLC 7 | Must be in an eligible field |
| Non-university college/other programs | CLB/NCLC 5 | Must be in an eligible field |
Flight school graduates from PGWP-approved institutions are exempt from the field of study restriction.
Final Thoughts
These changes underscore Canada’s evolving immigration strategy: prioritizing talent where it’s needed most. International students considering study in Canada should carefully review the updated PGWP eligibility list and language requirements before applying.
CIC News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Need help planning your education and immigration journey?
Contact Cascadia Immigration Services to schedule a consultation. CONTACT US – Parisa Erfani
BREAKING: Canada overhauls eligible fields of study for post-graduation work permits | CIC News
