Canada Revises Post-Graduation Work Permit Rules for International Students

As many as over 1 million students choose Canada as the top destination for educational purposes. The country is known for its high quality education system and work opportunities. However, the recent rules added by the Canadian government now puts major challenges for international students planning to work post study. On June 25, 2025 the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant revisions to its list of educational programs that qualifies for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) aiming to better align international student pathways with Canada’s labour market needs.

What is Post-Graduation Work Permit?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who have completed eligible programs at designated learning institutions (DLIs) to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. The length of your PGWP depends on the level and duration of your study program, as well as the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

New Updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit

The June 2025, newly released update of the list of eligible programs by IRCC, there were 119 programs that were added in the field of healthcare, education, STEM and skilled trades. According to IRCC, all new inclusions map onto jobs identified as in-demand by federal labour market forecasts.

List of some of the new programs:

Health: Veterinary medicine, dentistry, and allied dental sciences

Education: Teacher education in biology, chemistry, French language, drama, and computer science

STEM: Architecture and landscape design, including advanced architectural studies

Skilled trades: Cabinetmaking, millwork, and CNC machinist training, construction project and site management

Under this revision, 178 programs too were removed including the transport related programs, agriculture and marine resources programs, environmental studies and trades such as solar energy technology, drywall installation, electrical maintenance, building/property maintenance.

The total number of eligible programs to study for international students now stands at 920 in Canada.

Effective November 1, 2024, students enrolled in non-degree programs (diplomas, certificates, and similar credentials) will only be eligible for a PGWP if their field of study appears on Canada’s approved list of programs that align with in-demand occupations.

This requirement does not apply to students pursuing degree programs such as bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

It is also stated that regardless of the field of study that is chosen, all international students applying for a PGWP must meet the following minimum language requirements:

• Non-Degree Program Graduates: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 5
  
  
• Degree Program Graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD): CLB/NCLC Level 7

Students who graduate from flight schools are exempt from the field of study requirement but must meet other standard criteria.

Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, remain eligible for a PGWP based on the program list that existed at the time of their application, even if their program was later removed from the eligibility list.

Additionally, students who applied between June 25 and July 4, 2025, during the transition period, are also protected under the previous rules.

What led to these changes by the Canadian Government?

Canada government’s revised PGWP rules are part of their broader effect to ensure that international students contribute to Canada’s economic needs. This rule also caters to the address the labour shortage faced in the country especially in key fields like healthcare, skilled trades and technology.

The government also wants to discourage enrollment of students in programs that have limited job opportunities and better connect graduates to Canada’s Express Entry and immigration priorities.

What Students Should Do Now

If you’re an international student planning to study in Canada, make sure to verify if your intended non-degree program appears on Canada’s updated PGWP-eligible program list. Also make sure there are job prospects in that field, research thoroughly about it. Always before applying for a program confirm your DLI (designated learning institution) is recognized by IRCC. Also, keep a track of the requirements be it when it comes to documents, identity, entrance exams and the language proficiency requirements.

Incase if you are already enrolled or have applied to particular programs a few things to note are as follows:

• If your study permit application was submitted before June 25, 2025, you remain eligible under the old list
  
• If you applied between June 25 and July 4, 2025, you’re protected under the transitional rules
  
• Stay informed about potential future changes (next major update expected in early 2026)

Canada’s new post-study work permit rules show that the government wants to focus on bringing in international students who can help fill important job gaps in the country. Although some courses may no longer be eligible, they also create greater opportunities for students in fields where Canada urgently needs skilled workers.

So, if you are someone planning to study in Canada, it’s important to carefully choose your course and career path to improve your chances of getting a work permit and building a future there.