The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently introduced new guidelines surrounding eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Under the updated criteria, international students applying for a PGWP after November 2024 will need to meet additional field of study requirements to qualify for this permit. This change focuses on aligning eligible study programs with Canada’s labor market needs to ensure that international graduates are well-positioned to fill high-demand roles across the country.
Key Fields of Study Now Required for PGWP Eligibility
The eligible fields of study have been refined to align with the occupation-based categories in the Express Entry system, which IRCC introduced in 2023 to address pressing labor market gaps. These categories include:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trades
- Transport
Programs that qualify for a PGWP are categorized based on Canada’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), a system used for cataloging and describing educational programs. This is similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) used for job categories in Canada. Each eligible program corresponds with a specific CIP code, which students can use to confirm their field’s eligibility.
The table below provides some examples of instructional programs that are eligible for a PGWP for each field of study, with the corresponding CIP code:
| CIP 2021 Title | CIP 2021 Code | Field of Study Category |
| Agricultural business and management, general | 01.0101 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal/livestock husbandry and production | 01.0302 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Plant nursery operations and management | 01.0606 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal health | 01.0903 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Agronomy and crop science | 01.1102 | 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 | 03.0205 | 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 |
Examples of Eligible Programs by Field
The IRCC has provided examples of programs in each field that qualify for a PGWP. These examples, categorized by their CIP codes, offer guidance for students in selecting eligible fields. Some examples include:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food: Programs focused on agricultural sciences, food science, and agribusiness.
- Healthcare: Programs covering nursing, medicine, dental care, and health sciences.
- STEM: Courses in computer science, engineering, biotechnology, and environmental science.
- Trades: Fields such as electrical engineering technology, plumbing, and construction management.
- Transport: Programs in logistics, transportation technology, and supply chain management.
For a complete list of PGWP-eligible programs, students can refer to the IRCC website, which offers an up-to-date list by CIP codes.
Finding Your CIP Code
If you’re an international student and want to determine the CIP code for your program, you can follow these steps:
- Go to Statistics Canada’s CIP webpage (for the 2021 CIP version).
- Use the search bar to enter keywords related to your program or explore the categories listed in the table.
- Navigate through the fields of study to find relevant sub-categories.
- Use the “display definitions” function if you need more details about each sub-category.
- Select the specific instructional program for a final description, which includes program examples and exclusions.
New Language Requirements for PGWP Applicants
Alongside the field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced language proficiency criteria for PGWP applicants. These requirements differ based on the level of study completed. Full details on these language criteria can be found on the IRCC website, and it is essential for applicants to review these new requirements before applying.
These updates underscore IRCC’s focus on streamlining the transition from study to work in Canada, aligning education with in-demand sectors, and supporting graduates in pursuing high-impact roles across the country.
| 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 |
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New PGWP Criteria Align with Canada’s Labor Market Needs:
IRCC’s new PGWP eligibility criteria emphasize the alignment of international education with Canada’s labor market needs. By focusing on high-demand fields such as healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, and transportation, the updated guidelines aim to ensure that international graduates are well-prepared to contribute to critical sectors. This approach helps international students make informed decisions about their studies, potentially leading to promising career pathways and residency opportunities within Canada.