If you’re planning to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, major changes are coming into effect on November 1, 2024. These new rules introduce field of study requirements for certain applicants, affecting which programs qualify for a PGWP.

Key Changes to PGWP Eligibility

Under the updated regulations, if your study program has a “field of study” requirement, you must graduate from a program that aligns with occupations experiencing long-term labor shortages in Canada.

The eligible fields of study include:
- Agriculture & Agri-food
- Education
- Health Care
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
- Skilled Trades
- Transport

Who Is Exempt from the Field of Study Requirement?

You do not need to meet the new “field of study” rule if any of the following apply:

- You submit your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, regardless of your study program.
- You graduate from a PGWP-eligible flight school.
- You complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
- You finish a program that began before November 1, 2024.
- You switched programs and can prove that you changed before November 1, 2024.

General Eligibility for PGWP

To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must meet the following conditions:

- You completed a program at a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs).
- You maintained full-time student status in Canada throughout your studies.
- You apply for your PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion.
- Your study permit was valid at some point within those 180 days before submitting your application.

Who Is Not Eligible for a PGWP?

- You already received a PGWP before.
- You studied English or French as a second language.
- Your studies focused on general interest or self-improvement courses.
- You were funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and required to return to your home country after graduation.
- You completed over 50% of your studies online.
- You studied at a non-Canadian institution in Canada.
- Your program was offered by a DLI that is not PGWP-eligible.

This includes programs delivered through public-private partnerships (P3s), where a non-eligible institution partners with a PGWP-eligible DLI.

Eligibility by Study Program

- Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree are eligible.
- Graduates from university, college, or polytechnic programs can apply if they meet the requirements.
- Flight school graduates must complete training at a PGWP-eligible institution.

Final Thoughts

The new PGWP rules ensure that international graduates contribute to Canada’s priority labor sectors. If you are planning to study in Canada, it’s crucial to choose a PGWP-eligible institution and field of study that aligns with the new requirements.

For more details, visit the official Government of Canada website: canada.ca/en/immigration…

Would these changes affect your plans to study in Canada? Share your thoughts in the comments!