The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has in the recent past expanded the list of fields of study eligible for the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. The new list came into effect from December 17, 2024, and has a number of new programs particularly in the early childhood education and developmental service workers and this would provide international students in these fields an opportunity to get some working experience of Canada after their programs.
Earlier, IRCC had defined PGWP eligible fields of study in five general areas of study that broadly matched the occupation-based categories of Canada’s Express Entry system. These categories were:
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
- Trade
- Transport
The December update, however, introduces a sixth category: Education. This new category creates new opportunities for international students finishing programs in areas like early childhood education/developmental services works among others.
Programs which are eligible within this field are identified by the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) which is the official system used in Canada to classify educational programs.
The Addition of Education to the PGWP-Eligible Categories
As part of this new update, the Education field now includes programs related to early childhood education and developmental service work, which are designed to address pressing labor shortages in these sectors. With these additions, international students studying in these fields will have greater access to PGWPs, allowing them to work in Canada after completing their studies.
In previous updates, IRCC’s criteria had focused on more traditional fields of study. However, the expansion into education is an effort to diversify and support areas of growing demand, ensuring that Canada has the skilled professionals needed to meet current workforce challenges.
Field of Study Requirements for PGWP Eligibility
In September 2024, IRCC made a major change in the regulation guiding the issuance of PGWPs by making graduation from program related to the occupations in the long-term shortage list mandatory for any international student seeking the permit. This new field of study requirement applies to graduates of college programs and vocational university programs.
However, university bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees are excluded from the requirement stated above. Hence, if you have done a program in any of the categories of field of study above, then you are exempted from the new field of study criteria. However, if you are going to transfer to another school or change your program after November 1, 2024, the following field of study requirements will be implemented.
This change is one of the many undertaken by IRCC throughout 2024 to adapt the work permit program to the changing Canadian workforce.
Language Requirement for PGWP Eligibility
In addition to these changes in the field of study, IRCC has also introduced language requirements for the qualification of PGWP. The work permit requirements also vary with the level of study and international students will be required to satisfy a certain level of English or French language proficiency. This requirement is a part of a more extensive endeavour to guarantee that foreign graduates can assimilate into the Canadian job market, become productive members of the Canadian economy and, thus, increase their likelihood of being granted permanent residency.
What is the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
A Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit which permits graduates who have completed an eligible program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada to work for any employer in any sector in the Canadian economy.
The length of the PGWP depends on the duration of the completed study program of the foreign student. It can take from eight months to three years, and this program offers graduates an invaluable chance to acquire work experience in Canada. This is relevant especially to anyone with an intention to apply for permanent residence in Canada because the Canadian work experience will enhance their qualifying for the Canadian experience class under the Express Entry. Also, the work experience can enhance the CRS score of a graduate that will enhance their selection for permanent residency.
How Long is a PGWP Valid?
The validity of a Post Graduation Work Permit is tied to the duration of the study program completed by the student. A program that lasts one year may grant a work permit valid for one year, while a three-year program can result in a work permit lasting up to three years. The work permit offers international graduates the flexibility to work in Canada across a variety of industries, making it a valuable pathway for those interested in transitioning to permanent residency.
How to Qualify for a PGWP
To qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit, international students must meet the following conditions:
- Graduation from an Eligible Program: The program must be completed at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which is a school approved by the Canadian government to host international students.
- Full-Time Study: The student must have studied full-time throughout their program. Part-time students do not qualify for the PGWP.
- Program Length: The program of study must last at least eight months. Shorter programs are not eligible for a PGWP.
- Application Deadline: Graduates must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving their final transcript or an official letter confirming their program completion.
- Work Permit Duration: The work permit granted will align with the length of the completed study program. For example, a program lasting one year will result in a one-year work permit.
Implications of PGWP for Permanent Residency
The PGWP is a pathway to professional working experience in Canada as well as an important step towards permanent residency. Obtaining Canadian work experience is a great advantage for international students aspiring to get permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of the Express Entry.
Further, the Canadian experience which a candidate is able to accrue during the course of the PGWP period is useful in boosting the CRS score. CRS is used by the Canadian authorities to rank the candidates for the PNP and prioritization is given to the working experience in the host country.
