Canada updates PGWP: 119 new study fields added for 2025
New eligibility rules apply only to non-degree permits from November 2024
DUBAI: Canada has rolled out major changes to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria, signalling a fresh approach to attracting talent in high-demand sectors.
The revised list, released on 25 June 2025 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), now includes 920 eligible programs. A total of 119 new fields of study have been added, while 178 others – including many general diploma programs – have been removed.
These changes only affect international students applying for study permits on or after 1 November 2024. Those who submitted applications before 25 June 2025 will remain assessed under the previous list.
The goal is clear: align international education pathways with Canada’s evolving labour market needs.
In-demand programmes
The newly included fields span several critical sectors. In healthcare, additions include veterinary medicine, dentistry, and dental sciences. The education category sees teacher training in French, biology, chemistry, drama and dance. Skilled trades such as cabinetmaking, construction management, and CNC machining have also been added, alongside architecture-focused courses like landscape design and advanced architectural design.
Examples of newly PGWP-eligible programs:
- Veterinary Medicine (DVM) – Healthcare
- French Language Teacher Education – Education
- Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist – Skilled Trades
- Construction Project Management – Skilled Trades
- Architecture & Advanced Architectural Design – STEM & Design
According to IRCC, the move prioritises fields experiencing long-term labour shortages.
Dropped courses and language rules
Several areas have been removed due to reduced demand in the Canadian job market. These include transport-related programs, environmental studies, marine resources management, and solar energy technology. Notably, only one agri-food program has survived the cuts from the agriculture category.
Other cuts impact programs in drywall installation, aircraft maintenance, Indigenous education, and student counselling – reflecting a strategic trimming of fields deemed non-essential by policymakers.
Applicants must still meet specific language proficiency benchmarks:
- CLB/NCLC 5 for non-university programs
- CLB/NCLC 7 for university-level degrees
Flight school graduates are exempt from field-specific eligibility.
Tighter controls and permit caps
The PGWP overhaul also ties into broader immigration reforms led by former minister Marc Miller, who criticised certain institutions for operating as “diploma mills.” The concern was that many students pursued generic programs simply as a gateway to Canadian residency, rather than to meet real labour needs.
As part of this reform, study permit caps were introduced, and access to PGWPs tightened. Miller noted: “It is not the intention of this program to have sham commerce degrees and business degrees that are sitting on top of a massage parlour.”
While the three-year PGWP remains a key draw for international students, future applicants will now have to carefully align their academic choices with Canada’s list of eligible programs to secure post-study work rights.
For the full list of eligible programs by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, students should refer to the official government website.