Canada’s PGWP eligibility criteria announced

In an announcement many stakeholders have been anticipating, Canada’s new PGWP eligibility criteria have been revealed.

The new field of study requirements applies those graduating from college-level programs, as well as some university programs.

IRCC provided a list of 966 eligible programs, which are divided into five broad categories: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, STEM, trade, and transport.

The full list of programs can be found here, and the new rules apply to those submitting a study permit application after November 1 2024.

If individuals apply for a PGWP before November 1, they are only required to meet current eligibility criteria.

The field of study requirements do not apply to those graduating from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program. Such applicants continue to be eligible for PGWPs for up to three years.

The field of study requirements do, however, apply to those graduating from any other type of university programs.

For all PGWP applicants across all institution types, new language requirements are in place. Applicants must demonstrate skill in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and tests – from the government’s accepted list of test providers – must be less than two years old at time of application.

Those graduating from university programs must prove English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all four language areas.

Meanwhile, slightly lower language requirements are set for those graduating from college programs who must prove English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four language areas.

The announcement follows the federal government’s decision to put further limits on the number of international study permits it issues, reducing study permits to 437,000 in 2025, among other immigration changes impacting the International Student Program.

The policy changes are driven by the IRCC’s overall goal of reducing temporary residents from 6.5% of Canada’s total population to 5% by 2026.

Stakeholders took to LinkedIn to comment on the most recent changes changes to PGWP eligibility, with Saurabh Malhotra, CEO and founder, Student Direct, noting that there is “a lot of work ahead for the institutions to identify programs aligned with these careers”.

Others highlighted fields of study not included in PGWP eligibility.

[There’s] a lot of work ahead for the institutions to identify programs aligned with these careers
Saurabh Malhotra, Student Direct

“Notably absent on the list is hospitality,” wrote Karen Dancy, director of recruitment and international at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology in Alberta, who worries the government has taken a national approach, ignoring regional needs.

“This will be catastrophic for local communities, including rural and remote areas, that rely on our college-educated international learners.”

Meti Basiri, co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard commented: “ApplyBoard has long recognised that PGWP reforms can further benefit students, institutions, and regions across Canada.

“Aligning Canada’s PGWP program eligibility with labour market needs ensures the continued success and prosperity of international students, alongside positive impacts to the Canadian economy,” he continued.

“However, looking at the eligible fields of study, there are many programs students are taking that are critical for Canada’s labour market which have been excluded. We hope that these programs will be further considered and integrated into an adjusted list in the coming weeks.”

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