After announcing further changes in its international study program, Canada has finalised new eligibility criteria for its Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program, applicable to those applying after 1 November 2024.
Field of study requirement
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has listed 966 PGWP-eligible programs. These are divided into five broad categories:
- agriculture and agri-food
- healthcare
- STEM
- trade
- transport.
The list reflects certain occupations in long-term shortage in Canada. This follows the goal of the IRCC to align the PGWP program with immigration goals and labour market needs.
Some stakeholders noted the absence of previously in-demand fields, such as hospitality. Meti Basiri, co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard commented: “There are many programs students are taking that are critical for Canada’s labour market which have been excluded. We hope that these programs will be further considered and integrated into an adjusted list in the coming weeks.”
Students graduating from a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program are exempted from the field of study requirement. They continue to be eligible for PGWPs for up to three years. However, the field of study requirement applies to those graduating from any other type of university program.
New language requirements
PGWP applicants across all institution types must now comply with new language requirements. The IRCC uses Canada Language Benchmarks (CLB) and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC), respectively, for English and French language proficiency.
Applicants must demonstrate their skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, with proof from the government’s listed test providers:
- English
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General test)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS General Training)
- PTE Core: Pearson Test of English (PTE Core)
- French
Test results must be less than two years old when the application is submitted.
Students who graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a university, along with those who graduated in any other university program, must prove English or French language proficiency with a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7, respectively, in all four skills.
Meanwhile, students who graduated from a college program (or any other program outside of university programs) must show a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four skills.
What hasn’t changed
All PGWP applicants must continue to meet the general and physical location eligibility requirements and complete a study program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI).
Students applying for a PGWP before 1 November 2024 only need to meet current eligibility criteria. The new eligibility requirements also do not apply to graduates from a PGWP-eligible flight school; they continue to follow current eligibility criteria even after 1 November 2024.
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