IRCC Updates Eligible Programs for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)

October 13, 2024

In a significant update, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new guidelines for programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Beginning November 1, 2024, certain international graduates will need to meet additional requirements related to their field of study to qualify for a PGWP. This change applies to graduates at various levels of study, with the exception of those holding bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degrees from universities, who remain exempt from these new field-specific criteria.

Eligible Fields of Study for PGWPs

The eligible fields for PGWP are closely aligned with the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023, which focus on meeting Canada’s labor market needs. These fields include:

Agriculture and Agri-food

Healthcare

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Trades

Transport

Programs in these fields are categorized using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), which is similar to Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for jobs. A detailed list of programs and their corresponding CIP codes has been provided by IRCC to help graduates determine eligibility.

Here are some examples of eligible programs:

CIP 2021 TitleCIP 2021 CodeField of Study CategoryAgricultural Business and Management, General01.0101Agriculture and Agri-foodAnimal Health01.0903Agriculture and Agri-foodSpecial Education and Teaching, General13.1001HealthcareComputer Programming, General11.0201STEMElectrician46.0302TradesHeavy Equipment Maintenance Technician47.0302Transport

For a comprehensive list of eligible programs, newcomers are encouraged to visit the official IRCC website.

How to Find Your CIP Code

International students can easily find the CIP code for their program by visiting Statistics Canada’s website and searching for their program’s title. This code will confirm whether their program qualifies for a PGWP under the new guidelines.

New Language Criteria for PGWP Applicants

In addition to field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced language proficiency standards for PGWP applicants. These language requirements vary by the level of study:

Level of StudyLanguage RequirementField of Study RequirementUniversity Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhDCLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all areasAll fields of study are eligibleOther University ProgramsCLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all areasMust be in an eligible field of studyCollege Programs or OtherCLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) in all areasMust be in an eligible field of study

Students applying for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, will not need to meet the new field of study requirements but will still have to fulfill the language proficiency criteria.

This update is a part of Canada’s continued efforts to align immigration programs with national economic goals and labor market demands.

The post IRCC Updates Eligible Programs for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) appeared first on CI News | Latest Canada Immigration News.

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IRCC Updates Eligible Programs for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)