New Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules Impact Global Students

Are you planning your education journey to Canada? The Canada post-study work permit landscape has recently undergone significant changes that might affect your future plans. On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a revised list of educational programs that qualify for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), aligning with the country’s evolving labor market needs.

These changes have dramatically reshaped the eligibility criteria for international students in Canada seeking work permits after completing their studies. Specifically, 178 fields of study have been removed from the eligibility list, while 119 new fields have been added. As a result, there are now 920 programs that qualify for PGWP. If you’re considering studying abroad, understanding these new immigration rules for Canada is crucial before finalizing your educational plans. The updates include additions in healthcare, social services, education, and trades sectors, as well as specialized fields like veterinary medicine, dentistry, cabinetmaking, and construction project management.

Canada updates PGWP eligibility list for 2025

Effective June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has substantially revised the list of educational programs that qualify for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP). This update directly aligns with the country’s 2025 Express Entry priorities and current labor market demands.

The revised eligibility criteria introduces 119 new fields of study in key sectors experiencing persistent labor shortages, particularly in healthcare, social services, education, and trades. Simultaneously, IRCC has removed 178 fields of study that are no longer linked to occupations facing labor shortages. Consequently, the total number of PGWP-eligible fields now stands at 920.

Education programs represent a completely new addition to the eligibility list. Notable newly eligible programs include:

• French language teacher education and biology teacher education
• Veterinary medicine and veterinary health technology
• Dentistry and dental clinical sciences
• Architecture and landscape architecture
• Construction management and cabinetmaking

Meanwhile, IRCC has completely removed all transport-related programs from eligibility. Additionally, the agriculture and agri-food sector has been significantly reduced to just one eligible program. Other fields losing eligibility include environmental studies, marine resources management, and various computer technology specializations.

Furthermore, these changes particularly affect international students in non-degree programs who applied for study permits on or after November 1, 2024. Despite these changes, certain students remain exempt from the field of study requirements, including:

• Those who submitted PGWP applications before November 1, 2024
• Graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees
• Students who applied for study permits before November 1, 2024
• Graduates from PGWP-eligible flight schools

Importantly, students who applied for study permits before June 25, 2025, will remain eligible for PGWPs if their field of study was on the eligibility list when they applied—even if it has since been removed. This grandfathering provision ensures continuity for students already in the pipeline.

All PGWP applicants must still meet language proficiency requirements, with non-university graduates needing CLB/NCLC level 5 and university graduates requiring level 7.

Who is affected by the new PGWP rules?

The revised PGWP eligibility criteria primarily targets specific categories of international students while leaving others unaffected. These changes impact students differently based on their enrollment date and program type.

International students in non-degree programs (certificates, diplomas, or other programs not leading to bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) face the most significant changes. Notably, only those who applied for study permits on or after November 1, 2024, must ensure their field of study appears on the updated eligibility list.

A key protection exists for students caught in the transition period. Those who applied for study permits before June 25, 2025, benefit from a “grandfathering” provision. Under this rule, students remain eligible for post-graduation work permits if their field of study was on the approved list when they initially applied—regardless of whether it was subsequently removed.

Moreover, several categories of students remain exempt from these field-specific eligibility requirements:

• Students who submitted PGWP applications before November 1, 2024
• Graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees
• Students who applied for study permits before November 1, 2024
• Graduates from PGWP-eligible flight schools

All applicants must still satisfy language proficiency criteria, however. Non-university graduates need to demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 5, whereas university graduates must achieve the higher threshold of level 7.

Therefore, the impact varies significantly depending on your academic path and application timing. Degree-program students (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral) face no field-of-study restrictions, maintaining their eligibility regardless of specialization. This distinction creates a two-tier system where diploma and certificate students must carefully select programs aligned with Canada’s labor shortage priorities, while degree students maintain broader options.

Accordingly, prospective international students planning non-degree studies in Canada should thoroughly research whether their intended field appears on the current eligibility list before committing to a program.

Why did Canada revise post-study work permit programs?

Canada’s recent overhaul of the Post-Graduation Work Permit program stems from significant shifts in the country’s labor market needs. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made these substantial changes on June 25 to directly reflect updated labor market demands in 2025.

At its core, the revision follows a straightforward economic principle: aligning international student outcomes with Canada’s workforce requirements. IRCC’s decision to add 119 new fields of study while removing 178 others was not arbitrary. Rather, this recalibration ensures that post-graduation pathways connect directly to occupations experiencing genuine labor shortages.

In essence, the newly eligible educational programs correspond to key sectors of the Canadian economy currently facing persistent workforce gaps. Conversely, the 178 fields removed from eligibility no longer represent areas with significant labor shortages. This targeted approach demonstrates Canada’s shift toward a more selective immigration strategy that prioritizes economic integration.

The changes also reveal the interconnected nature of Canada’s immigration system. IRCC carefully regulates the relationship between PGWP-eligible fields of study and Express Entry categories, maintaining a consistent focus on labor market demands. This strategic alignment allows Canadian immigration authorities to create a dual-purpose system where:

• Work permits prioritize students in non-degree programs who meet immediate labor needs
• Permanent residence selection targets immigration candidates addressing longer-term workforce requirements

Fundamentally, these revisions represent part of broader changes to Canada’s International Student Program that began in 2024. The requirement that non-degree programs must link to jobs in long-term shortages was initially introduced for students applying for study permits on or after November 1, 2024.

With this intention, the updated eligibility list now reflects the 2025 Express Entry priorities, creating a cohesive approach to addressing Canada’s evolving workforce needs. This policy shift ensures international education serves both students seeking Canadian experience and employers requiring skilled workers in specific sectors.

Summary:

Canada’s comprehensive overhaul of the Post-Graduation Work Permit program undoubtedly marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to international education and immigration. Throughout this article, we have examined how these changes reflect Canada’s strategic alignment of student pathways with genuine labor market needs. Additionally, the introduction of 119 new eligible fields while removing 178 others demonstrates a calculated approach to addressing workforce gaps in specific sectors.

Most importantly, your future plans require careful consideration if you intend to study in Canada. The impact of these changes varies significantly based on your program type and application timing. Degree program students maintain broader eligibility options, whereas certificate and diploma seekers must now carefully select programs that appear on the approved list.

Despite these restrictions, certain protections exist. For instance, the “grandfathering” provision safeguards students who applied before June 25, 2025, ensuring they remain eligible even if their field was subsequently removed from the list. Similarly, language proficiency requirements continue to apply regardless of program type, with university graduates needing higher proficiency levels than their non-university counterparts.

Consequently, prospective international students should thoroughly research their intended fields of study before committing to Canadian education programs. The revised eligibility criteria essentially creates a more selective system that benefits students pursuing education in sectors experiencing genuine labor shortages.

After all, these policy changes reflect Canada’s evolving immigration strategy – one that balances offering valuable international education experiences while addressing the country’s economic needs. Therefore, your educational choices now directly connect to your post-graduation work options and potential permanent residency pathways in Canada.