By admin 
The Canadian government has made important changes to the types of educational programs that qualify international students for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after finishing their studies.
On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the list of study fields that are eligible for PGWPs to better match Canada’s 2025 labour market needs.
Under this update:
- 119 new study fields are now eligible for a PGWP.
- 178 fields have been removed from the eligible list.
Who is Affected?
These changes impact international students who:
- Are enrolled in non-degree programs (those not leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD); and
- Applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
However, students who applied for their study permit before June 25, 2025 are still eligible based on the list that was valid when they applied. Even if their program is no longer on the list, they are still covered under the previous rules.
What’s Changed in PGWP Eligibility?
Now, a total of 920 study programs are eligible for a PGWP.
Some key changes include:
- Transport-related programs have been entirely removed from the list.
- In the Agriculture and Agri-food category, only one program remains eligible.
- The newly added 119 programs mostly focus on areas where Canada faces labour shortages, including:
- Healthcare and social services
- Education (this is the first time education programs are eligible)
- Skilled trades
The 178 programs that have been removed no longer match occupations with labour shortages, which is why they’re no longer eligible.
The government is expected to release more updates, and this list may continue to evolve. IRCC aims to align international education with current and future job market needs in Canada.
Note: The included tables list some examples of programs added and removed, along with their CIP (Classification of Instructional Program) codes. These examples are not a full list.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Programs
As part of the recent changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, several programs in the Agriculture and Agri-Food field have been removed from the eligible list.
The following programs are no longer PGWP-eligible:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Agriculture, General | 01.0000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management, General | 01.0101 |
| Farm/Farm and Ranch Management | 01.0104 |
| Agricultural Power Machinery Operation | 01.0204 |
| Crop Production | 01.0304 |
No new programs in this field have been added to the PGWP-eligible list.
Education Programs
There have been no removals from the PGWP-eligible list in the field of Education.
However, several new education programs have been added to PGWP eligibility:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| French Language/French Language Arts Teacher Education | 13.1325 |
| Biology Teacher Education | 13.1322 |
| Computer Teacher Education | 13.1321 |
| Chemistry Teacher Education | 13.1323 |
| Drama and Dance Teacher Education | 13.1324 |
Healthcare and Social Services Programs
Programs Removed from PGWP Eligibility:
The following healthcare and social services programs are no longer eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education, Other | 13.0299 |
| Multicultural Education | 13.0202 |
| Indigenous Education | 13.0203 |
| College Student Counselling and Personnel Services | 13.1102 |
| Student Counselling and Personnel Services, Other | 13.1199 |
Programs Newly Added to PGWP Eligibility:
The following programs in healthcare and social services are now PGWP-eligible:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | 01.8001 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant | 01.8301 |
| Dentistry (DDS, DMD) | 51.0401 |
| Dental Clinical Sciences, General (MS, MSc, PhD) | 51.0501 |
| Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (MS, MSc, PhD) | 51.0503 |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Programs
Programs Removed from PGWP Eligibility:
The following STEM programs are no longer eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Agricultural and Extension Education Services | 01.0801 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation, General | 03.0101 |
| Environmental Studies | 03.0103 |
| Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management | 03.0205 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other | 03.0299 |
Programs Newly Added to PGWP Eligibility:
The following new STEM programs have been added to the PGWP-eligible list:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Architecture (BArch, BA, BS, BSc, MArch, MA, MS, MSc, DArch, PhD) | 04.0201 |
| Advanced Architectural Design (MArch, MA, MS, MSc, DArch, PhD) | 04.0202 |
| Landscape Architecture (BS, BSc, BSLA, BLA, MSLA, MLA, PhD) | 04.0601 |
Trade Programs
Programs Removed from PGWP Eligibility:
The following trade-related programs are no longer PGWP-eligible:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Solar Energy Technology/Technician | 15.1703 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General | 46.0301 |
| Building/Property Maintenance | 46.0401 |
| Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector | 46.0403 |
| Drywall Installation/Drywaller | 46.0404 |
Programs Newly Added to PGWP Eligibility:
The following trade programs are now eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Construction Management, General | 52.2001 |
| Construction Project Management | 52.2002 |
| Diver, Professional and Instructor | 49.0304 |
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 48.0703 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology / CNC Machinist | 48.0510 |
Transport Programs
Programs Removed from PGWP Eligibility:
The following transport-related programs are no longer eligible for a PGWP:
| Program Name | CIP Code |
| Public Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies | 44.0403 |
| Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | 47.0607 |
| Engine Machinist | 47.0615 |
| Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician | 47.0616 |
| High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic | 47.0617 |
Note: No new transport programs have been added to the PGWP-eligible list.
How PGWP-Eligible Fields of Study Are Linked to Express Entry Categories
Both Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) fields of study and Express Entry immigration categories are managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with a strong focus on meeting Canada’s labour market needs.
- PGWP-eligible study fields help IRCC select non-degree international students for work permits based on which industries are facing worker shortages.
- Express Entry categories help prioritize candidates applying for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada who have experience in occupations currently in demand.
These two systems are closely connected. For example, changes made to Express Entry categories in February this year were reflected in the updates to PGWP eligibility as of today. The newly eligible study programs often match the priority occupations listed in Express Entry.
Other PGWP Requirements You Need to Know
In addition to graduating from an eligible program, international students must meet language proficiency standards based on the type of program they’ve completed.
Here is a breakdown:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
| College Bachelor’s Degree Programs | English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 7 in all four skills | Not required |
| University Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD | English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 7 in all four skills | Not required |
| Other University Programs | English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 7 in all four skills | Must graduate from a PGWP-eligible field of study |
| College or Other Non-University Programs | English or French at CLB/NCLC Level 5 in all four skills | Must graduate from a PGWP-eligible field of study |
Note: If you are graduating from a PGWP-approved flight school, you are not required to meet the field of study eligibility criteria.