IRCC has released the updated details surrounding which programs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Under new guidelines announced in September, some international graduates at various levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to meet additional field of study requirements to be eligible for a work permit*.
*Note: Field of study requirements do not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD graduates.
What are the eligible fields of study for PGWPs?
Eligible fields of study for the PGWP can be categorized by fields that mirror the occupation-based Express Entrycategories introduced by IRCC in 2023 (which are tied to national labour market needs).
These are:
- Agriculture and agri-food;
- Healthcare;
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
- Trade; and
- Transport.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs in these fields are grouped and listed using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), Canada’s system for describing and categorizing instructional/educational programs in the country; similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for jobs in Canada.
The table below provides some examples of instructional programs that are eligible for a PGWP for each field of study, with the corresponding CIP code:
| CIP 2021 Title | CIP 2021 Code | Field of Study Category |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural business and management, general | 01.0101 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal/livestock husbandry and production | 01.0302 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Plant nursery operations and management | 01.0606 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Animal health | 01.0903 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Agronomy and crop science | 01.1102 | Agriculture and agri-food |
| Special education and teaching, general | 13.1001 | Healthcare |
| Exercise physiology | 26.0908 | Healthcare |
| Physical therapy assistant | 51.0806 | Healthcare |
| Polysomnography | 51.0917 | Healthcare |
| Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist | 51.1002 | Healthcare |
| Computer programming/programmer, general | 11.0201 | STEM |
| Chemical engineering | 14.0701 | STEM |
| Engineering mechanics | 14.1101 | STEM |
| Water, wetlands and marine resources management | 03.0205 | STEM |
| Computer graphics | 11.0803 | STEM |
| Electrician | 46.0302 | Trade |
| Heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician | 47.0201 | Trade |
| Machine tool technology/machinist | 48.0501 | Trade |
| Insulator | 46.0414 | Trade |
| Plumbing technology/plumber | 46.0503 | Trade |
| Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician | 47.0302 | Transport |
| Air traffic controller | 49.0105 | Transport |
| Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor | 49.0205 | Transport |
| Flight instructor | 49.0108 | Transport |
| Transportation and materials moving, other | 49.9999 | Transport |
The above table does not provide a complete account of PGWP-eligible instructional programs. Interested newcomers can consult Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) webpage here.
How to find your CIP code
Newcomers who know the title of their instructional program, and who would like to find the corresponding CIP code can follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP here;
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- Newcomers can either search for keywords relating to their program in the search bar above the table section or navigate through the available field of study links in the main table.
- Through either method, newcomers will be directed to a second table which presents sub-categories for each field of study.
- Choose the relevant sub-category to the program searched for. Those who are unsure which sub-category is relevant can use the “display definitions” button above the table to read more about each category.
- Click through to the relevant sub-category.
- Navigate to the final table page, which now details specific instructional programs in the chosen category. Those unsure may also use the “display definitions” function to read more about each program.
- Click through to the relevant program.
- The final page will detail information about each program, including examples, and exclusions. Note that program titles are meant to be broad, and so program descriptions are highly relevant to picking the correct CIP code.
New language criteria introduced for PGWP applicants
In addition to the new field of study requirements, IRCC has also implemented language requirements for PGWP eligibility, which vary depending on the level of study of international graduates. Both changes are summarized in the table below*:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| University bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | All fields of study are eligible |
| Any other university program | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
| College program or any other program not listed above | CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
*Students applying for a PGWP before November 1 of this year do not have field of study requirements but will still need to meet the language criteria listed above.
