The IRCC announces qualifying programs for PGWPs

IRCC has issued updated information on which programs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
According to new guidelines issued in September, those international graduates at various levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will be required to complete extra field of study requirements in order to be eligible for a work permit*.
*Please keep in mind that university bachelor's, master's and PhD graduates do not have to meet field of study requirements.

What fields of study are eligible for PGWPs?

Eligible topics of study for the PGWP can be classified into occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023 (which are linked to national labour market demands).

These are:

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

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

The table below contains examples of instructional programs that are eligible for a PGWP for each subject of study, along with the accompanying CIP code:

The table above does not contain an exhaustive list of PGWP-eligible instructional programs. Interested newcomers can visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website here.

How to find your CIP code

Newcomers who know the title of their instructional program and want to find the matching CIP code can take the following steps:

•  Visit the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP.

Newcomers can search for keywords related to their program in the search bar above the table section or use the field of study links in the main table.

Newcomers will be routed to a second table with sub-categories for each field of study.

• Select the appropriate sub-category for the program looked for. If you are unsure which sub-category is applicable, click the "display definitions" button above the table to learn more about each one.
• Navigate to the relevant sub-category.
• Refer to the final table page for specific educational programs in the selected category. Those who are unsure may use the "display definitions" tool to learn more about each application.
• Click through to the relevant program.
• The final page will detail information about each program, including examples, and exclusions. Note that program titles are meant to be broad, and so program descriptions are highly relevant to picking the correct CIP code.

New language requirements for PGWP applicants

In addition to the new field of study requirements, IRCC has implemented language requirements for PGWP eligibility, which vary according to international graduates' level of study. The table below* summarises both modifications.

*Students applying for a PGWP before November 1 of this year do not have field of study requirements, but must still meet the language qualifications specified above.