IRCC has provided updated information on which educational programs now qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
As of new guidelines released in September, certain international graduates across various study levels who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will be required to meet additional criteria based on their field of study to qualify for the work permit*.
*Note: These field of study requirements do not apply to graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD from a university.
What are the fields of study eligible for PGWPs?
The eligible fields of study for PGWP align with occupational categories introduced by IRCC in 2023 under the Express Entry system, which are designed to reflect national labor market demands.
The eligible fields include:
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trades
- Transportation
PGWP-eligible programs within these fields are classified and listed using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), which is Canada’s system for categorizing educational programs, similar to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) used for jobs in Canada.
The table below lists examples of instructional programs eligible for a PGWP in each field of study, along with their corresponding CIP codes:
| 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 |
How to find your CIP code
International graduates who know the title of their program and wish to find the corresponding CIP code can follow these steps:
- Visit the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP system (accessible here).
- Either enter keywords related to the program in the search bar above the table or browse the available study fields listed in the table.
- Both methods will lead to a second table that breaks down the sub-categories for each study field.
- Choose the relevant sub-category for your program. If uncertain, use the “display definitions” button to learn more about each category.
- Proceed to the relevant sub-category.
- On the final table, you will find detailed information about specific instructional programs within the chosen sub-category. If you are unsure, use the “display definitions” function to read more about each program.
- Select the relevant program.
- The last page will offer detailed information about each instructional program, including examples and exclusions. Note that program titles are general, so the descriptions are crucial for choosing the correct CIP code.
New language requirements for PGWP applicants
In addition to the new field of study conditions, IRCC has introduced language proficiency requirements for PGWP eligibility. These language criteria vary based on the level of education 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 |