Overview

• Effective June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada removed 178 fields of study and added 119 new programs, resulting in 920 eligible fields for a post-graduation work permit.
• The revised rules apply to students who submitted study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024, aligning eligibility with the updated list of programs.
• Students whose study permit applications were filed before June 25, 2025, retain PGWP eligibility based on the criteria in place at the time of their application.
• The overhaul aligns the PGWP program with Canada’s Express Entry priorities by focusing on graduates in health care, education, architecture and skilled trades to fill long-term labour shortages.
• Language proficiency requirements remain unchanged, with non-university graduates needing CLB/NCLC level 5 and university graduates CLB/NCLC level 7.