Effective June 25, 2025, Canada has implemented significant changes to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program as part of a broader initiative to better align international education pathways with national labour market demands. These updates involve a comprehensive revision of eligible study fields and reflect Canada’s 2025 Express Entry priorities, which emphasize addressing long-term workforce shortages.
As part of the reforms, 178 non-degree study fields have been removed from PGWP eligibility, while 119 new fields—primarily in health care, social services, education, and skilled trades—have been added. These changes impact non-degree programs, such as diplomas and certificates. To be eligible for a PGWP, graduates of such programs must now complete studies in a field directly linked to occupations experiencing labour shortages.
Degree programs—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral—remain unaffected by these field-of-study restrictions and continue to be fully eligible for the PGWP.
With these revisions, the total number of PGWP-eligible fields stands at 920.
Applicability
The new eligibility criteria apply to students who submit a study permit application on or after November 1, 2024. For these students, the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for their field of study must appear on the eligible list either:
At the time of their study permit application, or
At the time of their PGWP application.
Exemptions
The field-of-study restrictions do not apply if:
You applied for a PGWP before November 1, 2024;
You completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree;
You graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school;
You submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024.
Additionally, students already enrolled in programs and whose study permits were submitted before June 25, 2025, will be assessed based on the eligibility list in effect at the time of their application. This ensures that no retroactive penalties are applied to ongoing students.
Conclusion
These targeted reforms aim to better position international graduates for long-term success in Canada by ensuring their education aligns with in-demand career paths. Prospective students are strongly advised to consult the updated list of PGWP-eligible CIP codes before applying for study permits or enrolling in non-degree programs.
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