IRCC announces eligible programs for PGWP

IRCC has released the updated details surrounding which programs are eligible programs for PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit).

Under new guidelines announced in September, some international graduates at various levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to meet additional field of study requirements to be eligible for a work permit.

Note: Field of study requirements do not apply to university bachelor’s master’s, or PhD graduates.

What are the eligible field of study for PGWPs?

Eligible fields of study for the PGWP can be categorized by field that mirror the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023 (which are tied to national labour market needs).

These are:

• Agriculture and agri-food;
• Healthcare;
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
• Trade; and
• Transport.

Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs in these fields are grouped and listed using the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP), Canada’s system for describing and categorizing instructional/educational programs in the country; Similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system for jobs in Canada.

The table below provides some examples of instructional programs that are eligible for a PGWP for each field of study, which the corresponding CIP code:

CIP 2021 Title    –      CIP 2021 Code      –           Field of study Category 

Agriculture business and management, general     –      01.0101     –       Agriculture and agri-food 

Animal/livestock husbandry and production    –       01.0302     –       Agriculture and agri-food 

Plants nursery operations and management    –     01.1102    –    Agriculture and agri-food

Animal health     –      01.0903      –      Agriculture and agri-food

Agronomy and crop science      –     13.1102    –    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

The above table does not provide a complete account of PGWP-eligible instructional programs. Interested newcomers can consult Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s.

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:

• Navigate to the Statistics Canada webpage for the 2021 CIP;
  • Newcomers can either search for keywords relating to their program in the search bar above the table section or navigate through the available field of study links in the main table.
  • Through either method, newcomers will  be directed to a second table which present sub-categories for each field of study.
• Choose the relevant sub-category to the program searched for. Those who are unsure which sub-category is relevant can use the “display definitions” button above  the table to read more about each category.
• Click through to the relevant sub-category.
• Navigate to the final table page, which now details specific instructional program in the chosen category. Those unsure may also use the “display definitions” function to read more about each program.
• Click through to the relevant program.
• The final page will detail information about each program, including examples, and exclusions. Note that program titles are meant to be broad, and so program descriptions are highly relevant to picking to correct CIP Code.

New language criteria introduced for PGWP applicants

In addition to the new find of study requirements, IRCC has also implemented language requirements for PGWP eligibility, which vary depending on the level of study 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 languages areas     –       Must graduate in an eligible field of study

College programs 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

*Student applying for a PGWP before November 1 of this year do not have field of study requirements but will still need to meet the language criteria listed above.