By admin (October 14, 2024)
IRCC Declares Eligible Programs for PGWP Applications
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC Declares Eligible Programs for PGWP Applications Post-Graduation Work Permit program (PGWP). New field-of-study requirements for the application of international graduates who wish to obtain a PGWP after November 1 may result from new guidelines released in September.
Key Eligibility Requirements Change
Some graduates from a variety of levels of study will be required to meet certain fields of study requirements under the new policies, but it must be noted that this requirement shall not be applicable to the university graduates who hold bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.
Fields of Study Eligible for a PGWP
The fields of study eligible for the PGWP are categorized under the new Express Entry categories, which are occupation-based and more or less similar to the national labor market demands that IRCC introduced in 2023. Qualifying fields include:
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: STEM
- Trade
- Transport
These fields are classified by the IRCC as PGWP eligible under the CIP system. This is similar to how jobs are classified under the NOC. Here is a way for newcomers to find the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code of their instructional program that qualifies them for a PGWP
The Classification of Instructional Programs Table of 2021
| 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 |
This Table will not provide a complete PGWP eligibility instructional program
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:
- Go to the Statistics Canada website for the 2021 CIP.
- To look up your program with search,
- Either by typing keywords about your program in the search bar at the top of the page, or by scanning the main table of field of study links.
- This leads to a sub table where sub categories are available for each field of study
- Then you can select the sub category that best fits your program. If you are not sure, the “display definitions” button has additional detail about each category.
- Click on to see a final table that lists specific programs of instruction under your chosen category.
- The last page will detail each program in more depth, including examples and exclusions.
New Language Requirements for PGWP Applicants
In addition to the study field requirements IRCC has put in place additional language requirements for PGWP applicants. Requirements vary depending on the study level. This table outlines the requirements:
| 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 |
Note: International students who submit their applications to obtain a PGWP prior to November 1, 2024, will not be subject to the Field of Study Requirements but will otherwise qualify based on the language requirements.