Canada PGWP Eligibility: New Requirements And Application Process

Changes in Canada PGWP Eligibility in 2025

• Canada is reshaping the PGWP pathway to align with current labour market needs. On 25 June 2025, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced new criteria: 119 fields of study were added, 178 were removed, reducing eligible programmes to around 920. However, it is only effective from 01 November 2025.

• Then on 4 July 2025, IRCC announced another update regarding the PGWP eligibility list of courses, where many of the removed programmes were reinstated, bringing the total back to approximately 1,107 eligible programmes. However, it will only be applicable until early 2026. Hence, all international students studying degrees which were on the ineligible PGWP list can apply for the permit only until early 2026.

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Which Courses are eligible for the PGWP in Canada?

All international students who are pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD courses in Canadian universities and colleges are not generally affected form this change of eligibility. They are eligible for the post-graduation work visa in Canada as before.

If you are ot pursuing any of the mentioned degrees, you must ensure that your chosen course of study is in an “in-demand field” or you won’t be eligible for a PGWP.

What are In-Demand Courses in Canada?

Effective from 01 November 2024, Canadian immigration authorities have made it mandatory that all students in Canada must graduate from a demanding course in order to be eligible for a PGWP. This means that the course must train you for jobs that are needed in the Canadian job market. These generally include the following:

• Agriculture & Agri-food

• Healthcare

• STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)

• Trades (like Electrician, Plumbing, Welding)

• Transport & Logistics

Related Reads: Popular Medical Courses in Canada After 12th for Indian Students in 2025

How to Check If Your Course is Eligible for PGWP in Canada 2026?

• You need to check the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code of the chosen course of study in order to check its eligibility. Here is what you can do to check the PGWP eligibility:

• Check your program’s CIP code on the official Statistics Canada site.

• You can then compare it with eligible fields to see if you’ll qualify for a PGWP

Related Reads: Canada Student Visa Processing Time From India

Who is eligible for Canada’s PGWP?

Check the points below to fully understand whether you are eligible for the post-graduation work permit in Canada for 2026 or not! If you applied for your Study Permit before November 1, 2024, the older rules apply (less strict), which means that you were eligible for the permit. However, as all of you are applying afterwards, here are the requirements, especially in non-degree programs:

• Your program must be in one of the eligible fields of study (CIP codes) tied to Canada’s labour shortages.

• Language proficiency: It must be a minimum CLB 7 for degree programs (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and a minimum CLB 5 for non-degree (diploma/certificate) programs

• If you completed a degree program (Bachelor’s or higher) you’re mostly unaffected by field-of-study removal.

• Programs removed may still be eligible until early 2026 thanks to the July 4 grace/retroactive rule.

Note: If you’re doing a diploma/certificate starting now, check your CIP code immediately as your future work permit depends on it.

How to apply for PGWP in Canada?

Here is the step by step guide on how you can apply for the post graduation work permit in Canada as an international student:

• Graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and a PGWP-eligible program.

• Apply for your PGWP within 180 days of finishing your program.

• Make sure your study permit was valid during your entire program.

• If you studied mostly online, note that eligibility limits may apply.

• Gather all important documents, including transcripts, completion letter, and program details.

• After obtaining PGWP, you can start working in the Canadian job market.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes for PGWP in Canada

Check the points below to understand the common mistakes students make while planning for a post graduation work permit in Canada:

• Verify your CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs) with the university or college chosen. If your code isn’t on the current list, apply for a different program.

• If your study permit was submitted between June 25 and July 4, 2025, you’re protected under the reinstatement rule.

• Always plan ahead for your post-study work experience: PGWP is your gateway to Canadian jobs, PR and long-term stay.

Conclusion

All international students who are going to Canada for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees are not affected by the recent change in post graduation work permit eligibility requirements. Others who are going to Canada on diplomas, collegiate certifications, and other non-degrees must be aware of the current PGWP update to avoid work visa issues in future. You are always advised to check your program’s eligibility, meet the language and study criteria, and submit the application correctly as per the timeline. You risk losing the post-study work route if the program is not under the PGWP eligibility list, as Canada’s immigration rules are tightened.