On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made a big change to the list of educational programs that allow international graduates to get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These adjustments aim to better align with the evolving demands of Canada’s job economy, and they will significantly impact non-degree programs.

Key Highlights of the Update

The recent changes by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) apply to international students who applied for study permits on or after November 1, 2025, and are enrolled in non-degree programs. These students must now check that their program is on the new list of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible fields to get a work permit after graduation.

Students who applied before June 25, 2025, are grandfathered by IRCC. They will remain eligible for a PGWP based on the list of qualifying programs at the time of their application, even if their field of study has since been deleted. This section promotes justice for applicants who followed previous criteria and made academic decisions.

The new eligibility list now includes 920 topics of study, carefully selected to meet existing Canadian labor shortages. In contrast, 178 programs have been eliminated because their careers are no longer in demand. Canada is updating its foreign student policies to meet economic and labor demands.

Focus Areas of the New Eligible Programs

The updated PGWP list highlights areas facing ongoing labor shortages in Canada. These include:

• Healthcare and Social Services: Programs in dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other health disciplines can now apply.
• Education: New programs that focus on teaching disciplines including biology, chemistry, French, and computer science have been added.
• Trades: Training in construction management, CNC machining, cabinetmaking, and professional diving has been prioritized.
• STEM Fields: Architecture and landscape architecture programs now qualify under PGWP guidelines.

On the other hand, industries like agriculture, transportation, and several environmental sciences have fewer programs that qualify, which shows that there is less demand in those fields.

Understanding the Connection with Express Entry

This change in who can get a PGWP is similar to changes in Canada’s Express Entry system, where immigration categories increasingly focus on jobs that are always in low supply. The connection shows that graduates of qualified programs who don’t have a degree could also benefit from future immigration pathways that focus on skills that are in high demand.

Language and Other Requirements Still Apply

To obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit, international students must be proficient in the language and have a degree that qualifies for a PGWP. These prerequisites vary depending on the degree and type of Canadian academic program.

College and university bachelor’s degree holders, as well as master’s and doctorate students, must exhibit CLB/NCLC 7 language fluency in English or French across all four skills. These students’ PGWP eligibility is unaffected by the updated field of study list.

Non-degree university students and college graduates or certificate students have slightly different qualifications. They must also meet the CLB/NCLC 7 language level; however, PGWP eligibility depends on their program’s current approved subjects of study.

Non-university and college graduates must meet a lower CLB/NCLC 5 language level in all four competencies. These students must have completed a PGWP-eligible program.

This regulation has a key exception for flight school graduates. Proficiency is required for PGWP; however, subject of study criteria are not.

International students studying in Canada must understand these language and program requirements. Choosing the right program and satisfying field and language requirements can help you earn a PGWP after graduation.

We at MAK Immigration Consultants are here to help you understand these changes and pick the proper study path in Canada that will help you succeed in both school and immigration.