New Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules for Visa Seekers

By Visa Jobs CanadaJune 27, 2025June 27, 2025International Students & GraduatesCanada immigration, Canadian immigration rules, post-graduation work permit, visa sponsorship, work permit eligibility

Canada is making significant updates to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria, which is great news for international students looking to embark on their careers here. If you’re curious about moving to Canada, understanding these changes can help you navigate your journey toward visa sponsorship and permanent residency (PR).

As of June 25, 2024, there have been some important adjustments. Specifically, 178 fields of study have been removed from the list of those eligible for a PGWP, while 119 new fields have been added. This shift aims to align with job markets experiencing long-term labour shortages, particularly in sectors prioritized under the Express Entry system. Express Entry is a digital immigration system that manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs and assesses candidates based on a points system.

Now, if you’re studying a non-degree program—meaning it isn’t a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree—you’ll need to ensure your course is linked to one of these newly eligible fields for your PGWP application to be successful. This is especially relevant if you applied for your study permit after November 1, 2024.

With these latest updates, there are now 920 fields of study recognized as eligible for the PGWP. This includes new avenues in health care, social services, education, and trades—areas where Canada actively seeks qualified professionals. If you applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, you might still qualify for a PGWP, even if your program has been removed from the new eligibility list, as long as it was on the list when you applied.

To qualify, you’ll want to graduate from a program listed under the standardized Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. If your CIP code doesn’t appear on the current list when you apply for your PGWP, there’s a possibility it could still be considered based on when you submitted your study permit application.

You won’t need to meet the field of study requirement if one of the following applies to you:
– You submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024.
– You graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school.
– You hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
– You applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024.

Understanding these nuances is crucial for international job seekers considering work permits in Canada and pursuing permanent residency. The changes not only affect your eligibility for the PGWP but can also shape your career path in the country.