Canada’s PGWP Reform Aims to Strengthen Economic Relevance of International Education

IRCC Updates PGWP Criteria to Guide Students Towards In-Demand Careers

Canada has announced a comprehensive update to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria, representing a strategic effort to better align international education with current labour market needs. On 25 June 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a revised list of approved fields of study, which includes 119 newly added programmes and the removal of 178 that no longer correspond to recognised occupational shortages. This policy recalibration arrives at a critical juncture, as the PGWP continues to be a major draw for international students seeking to acquire Canadian work experience after graduation. Each year, tens of thousands of students apply for the permit; however, recent forecasts suggest that up to 175,000 fewer PGWPs may be issued over the coming three years due to these and other regulatory shifts.

The changes apply specifically to international students enrolling in non-degree programmes who submit their study permit applications on or after 1 November 2024. In contrast, individuals who applied before 25 June 2025 will remain eligible under the previous guidelines. At present, the number of PGWP-eligible programmes stands at 920. Notably, IRCC has removed all transport-related programmes and retained only one in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The additions, by contrast, correspond to high-demand fields such as healthcare, education and the skilled trades.

Among the new inclusions are veterinary medicine, dentistry, cabinetmaking and construction project management. For the first time, biology and French language teacher education programmes have also been made eligible. In the STEM domain, architecture and landscape design were added to the list, while environmental studies and marine resources management were removed. Several trades, including solar energy and drywall installation, also lost eligibility following labour market assessments indicating the absence of current shortages.

Furthermore, this update aligns with concurrent reforms to Canada's Express Entry immigration system, both of which now prioritise occupations facing acute labour gaps. PGWP applicants must still meet minimum language proficiency standards, specifically, Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 5 for non-university graduates and level 7 for university graduates. It is important to note that flight school graduates remain exempt from the new field-specific rules. This recalibrated framework reflects Canada’s evolving immigration strategy, which seeks to prioritise economic relevance while maintaining its global appeal as a premier destination for international talent.

Editor’s Note:

Canada’s latest update to its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy is a step in the right direction for students who want their education to lead to real job opportunities. By focusing on programs that match current labour market needs, like healthcare, skilled trades and education, the government is helping students gain skills that are more likely to lead to jobs in Canada after graduation. This change will guide students to choose courses that have a better chance of opening doors to Canadian work experience and, eventually, permanent residency. It also means fewer students may end up in programmes that offer little support for long-term goals. While the adjustment means some fields are no longer eligible, it also adds many new ones that reflect the real needs of today’s job market. For students planning their future in Canada, this is a chance to align their education with opportunity.

Skoobuzz appreciates this initiative, recognising it as a smart move that makes career planning more transparent and aligned with real-world opportunities.