New Changes to Canada Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) Program Effective From November 2024

The Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program has long been a crucial pathway for international students seeking work experience in Canada after graduation. However, significant alterations have been announced for the PGWP eligibility on September 18, 2024, scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2024.

As part of the update, IRCC Canada has released a comprehensive list of study programs that qualify for the Post Graduate Work Permit after the implementation date. These new requirements aim to streamline the application process and ensure that only students with particular qualifications can benefit from this work permit.

The details or outline of the forthcoming changes, clarity of what will remain unchanged, and present a detailed list of programs that would be eligible for the PGWP starting November 1, 2024.

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New Canada PGWP Changes 2024: What is Unchanged?

For many international students, the core eligibility criteria for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program would remain the same, even after the new regulations come into force. These include:

• Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) requirement: this requirement remains unchanged. Students must still complete their courses at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution in Canada.
• Physical Presence in Canada: The general condition that students must be physically present in Canada for the majority of their program will also continue to be eligible.
• Existing Applications: If students submit their PGWP applications before November 1, 2024, the current eligibility criteria will only be applicable, which means they will not be affected by the upcoming changes.
• Flight School Graduates: Graduates from PGWP-eligible flight schools will be exempted from the new criteria, even if they apply for a work permit after November 1, 2024.

New Eligibility Requirments Effective November 1, 2024

For those planning to apply for the PGWP Canada after November 1, 2024, must adhere to the newly introduced eligibility requirements mandatorily. These requirements are categorized based on when the applicant has submitted their permit application and their level of education. These include:

1. For Students who submitted Study Permit Applications Before November 1, 2024

If a student has submitted their Canada study permit application prior to November 1, 2024, the following conditions would apply when applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) after this date:

• University Graduates (Bachelor, Master, Doctoral program) must have a minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French - for language skills
• Other university programs have same language proficiency requirements of CLB 7 or NCLC 7
• Colleges or other programs have language requirements of minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all Sections.

2. For Students applying on or after November 1 2024 new stricter PGWP eligibility requirements include:

• University graduates need to have a new CLB7 or NCLC 7 language proficiency and they do not have any restriction on choosing a field of study
• Other university programs also have the same language requirements CLB 7 or NCLC 7 and the chosen course or field must be in high demand in Canada
• College programs have a language requirement of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 and students must complete a program in a field of study linked to occupations experiencing long-term shortage

General Training English Tests Will Now Be Required

As part of the new changes language proficiency will play a crucial role in data mining PGWP eligibility. International students will need to take one of the following general training English tests

1. CELPIP General Test
2. IELTS General Training Test
3. PTE Core

Eligible Fields of Study for PGWP After November 1, 2024

The new Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules introduce specific field of study requirements, aligning them with occupations facing long-term shortages in Canada.

Students whose programs fall within these areas will be eligible for the PGWP. Eligible fields include

• Agriculture and Agri Foods
• Healthcare
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
• Trades
• Transportation

Below are examples of eligible programs across these fields. Students should check their program's Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code to confirm eligibility.

Secure Your Canada Student Visa with GetGIS

The changes to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, effective November 1, 2024, will impact international students aiming to work in Canada post-graduation. With new language and field of study requirements, it's crucial to align your program with the updated criteria and meet the language standards.

For expert help with Canada immigration and study abroad, consider GetGIS to guide you through the process.

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