Canada’s New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Students
Canada has exciting news for international students! The government has recently reinstated eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which lets graduates work in Canada for up to three years. This decision is effective until 2026, making it a fantastic opportunity for those looking to gain Canadian work experience while pursuing permanent residency (PR) in the country.
In an update on July 4, 2025, Canada recognized 119 new fields of study as eligible for the PGWP, while restoring fields that were previously removed. If you submitted your study permit application for an eligible field between June 25 and July 4 of this year, you’ll meet the requirements when you graduate!
Now, you might wonder, what’s a CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code? It’s a six-digit number the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) uses to classify educational programs. To check if your program is eligible, visit your designated learning institution’s website or consult the Statistics Canada CIP classification catalogue.
Meeting the field of study requirement matters because it links to skills in demand in the Canadian job market. Programs that align with long-term labour shortages increase your chances of finding a job after graduation and facilitate a smoother path to applying for PR.
If you’re in one of the newly qualified fields, congratulations! Plus, if you applied for your PGWP before November 1, 2024, graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school, or earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, you won’t need to worry about the field of study requirement at all.
Now, if you’re contemplating a move to Canada, where can you find job opportunities that offer visa sponsorship? While popular platforms like Job Bank and LinkedIn provide a range of options, look no further than VisaJobsCanada.com. This resource focuses specifically on Canadian job listings that welcome international candidates, ensuring every job opportunity comes with visa support. This makes it easier for you to find a role that matches your expertise.
With these changes, Canada is making it clearer than ever that it values contributions from international talent. It’s a great time to explore the job market and consider how your skills might fit.
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