June 26, 2025
RED FM News Desk
The federal government has revised the eligibility criteria for work permits associated with Canada’s international student program, according to a recent announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
International students enrolled in non-degree programs in 178 specific fields will no longer be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows graduates to remain in Canada and gain work experience. These removed programs are considered no longer aligned with occupations experiencing long-term labour shortages.
Conversely, 119 new fields—mainly in healthcare, social services, education, and trades—have been added to the list of eligible programs. In total, 920 fields of study are now qualified for PGWPs.
These field-specific eligibility changes apply only to international students in non-degree programs who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024. Students enrolled in degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) are not affected by these changes.
The updated eligibility list will take effect for study permit applications submitted on or after June 25, 2025. Those who applied before this date will remain eligible for a PGWP, even if their field is no longer on the list.
The complete list of eligible non-degree PGWP programs is available on the IRCC website.
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