IRCC has provided updated information on the programs eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
According to new guidelines introduced in September, international graduates at certain study levels applying for a PGWP after November 1 must now meet specific field of study requirements to qualify for the permit.
*Note: These requirements do not apply to graduates of university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs.
Which fields of study are eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)?
The eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) align with the occupation-focused Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023, which are based on national labor market needs.
These fields include:
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trades
- Transportation
Programs in these fields that qualify for a PGWP are organized using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), Canada’s system for classifying educational programs, similar to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system used for Canadian jobs.
The table below offers examples of instructional programs eligible for a PGWP in each field of study, along with their corresponding CIP codes:
| CIP 2021 Title | CIP 2021 Code | Field of Study Category |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural business and management, general | 01.0101 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal/livestock husbandry and production | 01.0302 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Plant nursery operations and management | 01.0606 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal health | 01.0903 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Agronomy and crop science | 01.1102 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Special education and teaching, general | 13.1001 | Healthcare |
| Exercise physiology | 26.0908 | Healthcare |
| Physical therapy assistant | 51.0806 | Healthcare |
| Polysomnography | 51.0917 | Healthcare |
| Cytotechnology/ cytotechnologist | 51.1002 | Healthcare |
| Computer programming/programmer, general | 11.0201 | STEM |
| Chemical engineering | 14.0701 | STEM |
| Engineering mechanics | 14.1101 | STEM |
| Water, wetlands and marine resources management | 03.0205 | STEM |
| Computer graphics | 11.0803 | STEM |
| Electrician | 46.0302 | Trade |
| Heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician | 47.0201 | Trade |
| Machine tool technology/machinist | 48.0501 | Trade |
| Insulator | 46.0414 | Trade |
| Plumbing technology/plumber | 46.0503 | Trade |
| Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician | 47.0302 | Transport |
| Air traffic controller | 49.0105 | Transport |
| Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor | 49.0205 | Transport |
| Flight instructor | 49.0108 | Transport |
| Transportation and materials moving, other | 49.9999 | Transport |
The table above does not include all PGWP-eligible instructional programs. For a comprehensive list, interested applicants can visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) webpage.
How to Find Your CIP Code
Newcomers who know the title of their instructional program and wish to find the corresponding CIP code can follow these steps:
- Visit the 2021 CIP page on the Statistics Canada website.
- You can either use the search bar above the table to enter keywords related to your program or browse through the available field of study links in the main table.
- Both methods will lead you to a secondary table displaying sub-categories for each field of study.
- Select the appropriate sub-category for your program. If unsure, you can use the “display definitions” button to learn more about each category.
- Navigate to the chosen sub-category.
- On the final table page, you’ll see detailed instructional programs within the selected category. If uncertain, use the “display definitions” option to learn more about specific programs.
- Click on the relevant program to view its details, including examples and exclusions. Note that program titles are broad, so reviewing program descriptions is essential to selecting the correct CIP code.
New language requirements implemented for PGWP applicants.
Along with the new field of study requirements, IRCC has introduced language requirements for PGWP eligibility, which differ based on the level of study completed by international graduates. Both changes are outlined in the table below:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| University bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | All fields of study are eligible |
| Any other university program | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
| College program or any other program not listed above | CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
Students submitting a PGWP application before November 1 of this year are exempt from field of study requirements but must still fulfill the language criteria mentioned above.
