Which courses will be eligible for PGWP from 1 November 2024?

Starting November 1, 2024, the Canadian government will implement new eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. These changes are designed to better align with Canada's immigration goals and labour market needs. Here are the details of the programs that will be eligible for the PGWP under the new rules. Let's first go through the related eligibility criteria.

Key Changes to PGWP Eligibility

Language Proficiency Requirements

All PGWP applicants must meet specific language proficiency standards:

For University Graduates

Students must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 7 in French across all four language areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

For College Graduates and others:

Must achieve a CLB of 5 in English or NCLC of 5 in French across all four language areas.

Programs Eligible for PGWP

University Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree Programs:

• All fields remain eligible for the PGWP.
• No specific field of study requirement applies.

Other University Programs

• Must be in an eligible field of study as listed above.

College Programs

• Must be in an eligible field of study as listed above.

Field of Study Requirements

The new rules introduce specific field of study requirements for some programs. These requirements apply to graduates from college-level programs and certain university programs that are not bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The eligible fields of study are aligned with occupations experiencing long-term shortages in Canada:

• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trade
• Transportation
• Agriculture and Agri-Food

List of PGWP Eligible Programs

The upcoming changes to Canada's PGWP program reflect a strategic effort to align educational outcomes with labour market needs. By understanding these new requirements and preparing accordingly, international students can maximize their chances of securing a PGWP and gaining valuable work experience in Canada post-graduation. For guidance on course selection, call us at 93566-93566.