Canada has updated its list of programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to align international education with workforce demands. The revised list, published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 25, adds 119 new fields of study while removing 178 others, largely from sectors no longer facing labour shortages.
The update will come into effect for international students applying for study permits on or after November 1, 2024. Those who submitted their applications before June 25, 2025, will continue to be assessed based on the eligibility rules in place at the time of their application.
This transformation represents a change in the way Canada links its education policy and immigration policy to the changing requirements of the labour market. Currently, 920 programs nationwide make graduates eligible for a PGWP, an important gateway that enables them to gain Canadian experience after graduation.
What’s in and What’s out?
According to the CIC reports citing IRCC, programs were removed if the linked occupations are no longer experiencing labour shortages. At the same time, fields related to healthcare, education, architecture, and skilled trades have been prioritised for inclusion.
Programs added to PGWP eligibility
Healthcare & Veterinary Sciences:
Veterinary medicine (DVM)
Veterinary/animal health technician and assistant
Dentistry (DDS, DMD)
Dental clinical sciences (MS, MSc, PhD)
Oral biology and maxillofacial pathology (MS, MSc, PhD)
Education (Teacher Training):
French language/French language arts teacher education
Biology teacher education
Chemistry teacher education
Computer teacher education
Drama and dance teacher education
Architecture & Design:
Architecture (BArch, BA, BSc, MArch, MA, MS, PhD)
Advanced architectural design (MArch, MA, MS, PhD)
Landscape architecture (BSLA, MLA, PhD)
Skilled Trades & Construction:
Construction management (general)
Construction project management
Cabinetmaking and millwork
CNC machinist technology
Professional diver and instructor training
Transport & Related Sectors:
All transport-related programs
Agriculture & Agri-Food:
Most agriculture and agri-food courses, with only one retained program
Environmental & Marine Sciences:
Environmental studies
Marine resources management
Skilled Trades:
Solar energy installation
Drywall installation
Under the IRCC, programs were eliminated where occupation-related positions no longer had a shortage of qualified workers. The updated PGWP list now better reflects Canada's Express Entry immigration system, both of which prioritize candidates with skill sets in areas facing workforce shortages.
Language criteria and exemptions
In spite of the changes in program eligibility, language proficiency requirements for PGWP applicants have not changed. Non-university graduates need to fulfill CLB/NCLC level 5, whereas university graduates need to fulfill level 7. Flight school graduates continue to be exempt from program-specific rules of eligibility.
