IRCC announces eligible programs for PGWPs

Asheesh Moosapeta
Published: October 12, 2024

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

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.

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What are the eligible fields of study for PGWPs?

Eligible fields of study for the PGWP can be categorized by fields 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 Programs (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, with the corresponding CIP code:

CIP 2021 TitleCIP 2021 CodeField of Study Category
Agricultural business and management, general01.0101Agriculture and agri-food
Animal/livestock husbandry and production01.0302Agriculture and agri-food
Plant nursery operations and management01.0606Agriculture and agri-food
Animal health01.0903Agriculture and agri-food
Agronomy and crop science01.1102Agriculture and agri-food
Special education and teaching, general13.1001Healthcare
Exercise physiology26.0908Healthcare
Physical therapy assistant51.0806Healthcare
Polysomnography51.0917Healthcare
Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist51.1002Healthcare
Computer programming/programmer, general11.0201STEM
Chemical engineering14.0701STEM
Engineering mechanics14.1101STEM
Water, wetlands and marine resources management03.0205STEM
Computer graphics11.0803STEM
Electrician46.0302Trade
Heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician47.0201Trade
Machine tool technology/machinist48.0501Trade
Insulator46.0414Trade
Plumbing technology/plumber46.0503Trade
Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician47.0302Transport
Air traffic controller49.0105Transport
Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor49.0205Transport
Flight instructor49.0108Transport
Transportation and materials moving, other49.9999Transport

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) webpage here.

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 here;
    • 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 presents 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 programs 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 the correct CIP code.

New language criteria introduced for PGWP applicants

In addition to the new field 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 StudyLanguage RequirementField of Study Requirement
University bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degreeCLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areasAll fields of study are eligible
Any other university programCLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areasMust graduate in an eligible field of study
College program or any other program not listed aboveCLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areasMust graduate in an eligible field of study

*Students 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.

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