IRCC announces eligible programs for PGWPs

IRCC has provided updated information regarding the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

According to new guidelines announced in September, international graduates at various levels of study applying for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to meet additional field of study requirements to qualify for the work permit.

Note: These field of study requirements do not apply to graduates holding a bachelor's, master's, or PhD from a university.

What Are the Eligible Fields of Study for PGWPs?

The eligible fields of study for the PGWP align with the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023, which are connected to national labor market needs. These fields include:

  • Agriculture and agri-food
  • Healthcare
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Trade
  • Transport

The programs eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit in these fields are categorized and listed using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), which is Canada's system for describing and organizing educational programs, similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for jobs in Canada.



Please note that the above categories do not provide a comprehensive list of PGWP-eligible instructional programs. Newcomers interested in learning more can visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) webpage [here](insert link).

How to Find Your CIP Code

Newcomers who know the title of their instructional program and wish to find the corresponding CIP code can follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP [here](insert link).
  2. Use the search bar above the table section to enter keywords related to your program or navigate through the available field of study links in the main table.
  3. Either method will lead you to a second table that shows sub-categories for each field of study.
  4. Select the relevant sub-category corresponding to your program. If you’re unsure which sub-category is appropriate, use the “display definitions” button above the table to learn more about each category.
  5. Click through to the relevant sub-category.
  6. Navigate to the final table page, which will detail specific instructional programs within the chosen category. If uncertain, you can also use the “display definitions” feature to read more about each program.
  7. Click on the relevant program.
  8. The final page will provide details about each program, including examples and exclusions. Remember that program titles are broad, so pay attention to the descriptions to select the correct CIP code.

New Language Criteria for PGWP Applicants

In addition to the updated field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced new language criteria for PGWP eligibility that vary based on the level of study of international graduates. Both changes are summarized in the table below:



Note: Students applying for a PGWP before November 1 of this year do not need to meet the field of study requirements but must still fulfill the language criteria listed above.

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