Canada updates Post-Graduation Work Permit field-of-study requirements
New PGWP eligibility categories took effect for students whose study permit applications were received after a cut-off date in late 2024.
Canada has updated the field-of-study requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. New applicants must check whether their programme appears on the updated eligibility lists.
- Published
- Location
- Canada
- Reading time
- 6 min
- Category
- Policy & Regulation · International Students
New eligibility categories
Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme now ties eligibility more closely to fields of study linked to labour-market needs. The new categories apply to students whose study permit application was received after the cut-off date set out in IRCC guidance.
The eligible fields are grouped into categories that generally include healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food. Specific programme codes must be checked against the official list.
What students should verify
- Cut-off date: Confirm whether your study permit application was received before or after the policy cut-off date.
- Programme code: Check whether your programme's Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code is on the PGWP-eligible list.
- Language requirements: New language-testing requirements may apply depending on when you applied and the level of your programme.
- Provincial attestation letters: Study permit applications for most post-secondary programmes now require a provincial attestation letter.
Context
Canada has also capped the number of international study permits it will issue in 2026. The cap is allocated to provinces and territories, which in turn distribute spaces to institutions.
These changes have made it more important for prospective students to check both admission and immigration eligibility before accepting an offer. This article reports the published rules; it does not assess any individual case.
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