Canada’s revised Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules officially came into effect on June 25, 2025. Under these changes, 119 new programs have been added to the list of eligible fields, while 178 programs have been removed from it. The total number of PGWP-eligible study fields now stands at 920.

These new rules specifically apply to international students enrolled in non-degree programs (such as diplomas and certificates) who submit their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024. However, a grandfathering provision ensures that students who applied before June 25, 2025, will still be assessed based on the previous eligibility list, even if their program has since been removed

🔍 What Has Changed – By Field

  1. Transport programs are largely ineligible, removed due to a shift in labour demands.
  2. Agriculture & Agri-food programs are almost entirely excluded, except for a single remaining field.
  3. Education programs entered the PGWP list for the first time, acknowledging the growing demand.
  4. Healthcare & Social Services saw updates—some counselling programs dropped, while veterinary, dentistry, and other health-related programs were added.
  5. STEM, including Architecture, gained PGWP eligibility.
  6. Trades received a mixed update: construction management, CNC machinist, and others were added, while certain technician roles were removed.

Why This Matters

Canada’s policy shift aims to align study programs with post-graduation work permit recipients’ prospects in the job market:

  1. Adds high-demand occupations like education, healthcare, and trades to reflect workforce shortages.
  2. Removes programs not tied to labour gaps, optimizing the system for economic relevance.
  3. Ties PGWP changes to Express Entry, reinforcing a pipeline from study to permanent residency.

PGWP and Express Entry Connection

The IRCC now intends for PGWP changes to synchronize with Express Entry updates. Essentially, if your field is now eligible for PGWP, there’s a strong chance it aligns with Express Entry’s priority occupations. This helps international graduates transition swiftly into Canada’s workforce and permanent residency pathways.

Who Still Qualifies?

  1. Even with eligibility tied to specific fields, all applicants must meet language and field-of-study criteria:
  2. University bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral programs:

    3. CLB/NCLC 7 in all four language skills (English or French).

  3. College or non-university credentials:

    4. CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills, plus completion in an eligible field.

  4. Flight school graduates:

    5. Language test not required, regardless of field.

These rules ensure graduates are both job-ready and poised to contribute to Canada’s economy.

What You Should Do

  1. Check Your Program:

    2. Confirm your field of study is PGWP-eligible post-update.

  2. Confirm Study Permit Date:

    3. If you applied before June 25, you’re grandfathered.

  3. Prepare for Language Testing:

    4. Depending on your program level, CLB/NCLC 5 or 7 may apply.

  4. Aim Towards Express Entry:

    5. Strongly consider programs aligned with Canada’s future job market, especially given PGWP and Express Entry linkage.

  5. Plan for Job Market Entry:

    6. Consider PGWP-eligible fields that offer strong employment prospects post-graduation.

Final Take

Canada's updated Post-Graduation Work Permit guidelines deliver clarity and opportunity, ensuring that international graduates align with the country’s labour needs. With education, healthcare, trades, and STEM now recognized, more students can seamlessly transition from study to work and on to permanent residency via Express Entry.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

At Visa Solutions 4u, we offer expert guidance through every step of this complex journey:

  1. PGWP Eligibility Review:

    2. Tailored assessment to confirm if your field qualifies.

  2. Permit Application Support:

    3. Document handling, language proofing, and intervention with IRCC.

  3. Express Entry Roadmap:

    4. Strategic planning to integrate PGWP with PR potential.

  4. Continuous Support:

    5. From start to finish—study permit to work permit to PR.

Let Visa Solutions 4u turn this policy change into your pathway to success—easy, confident, and future-proof.