(CANADA) Canada has tightened Post‑Graduation Work Permit rules again in 2025, narrowing which programs count toward a PGWP and reshaping choices for international students across the country. Officials updated the list of eligible CIP fields twice this summer — first on June 25 and again on July 4 — in a bid to link work permits to long‑term labour shortages. The result: fewer graduates will qualify automatically, while degree‑level students keep broader access.
IRCC says it removed 178 fields not tied to persistent shortages on June 25, 2025, while adding 119 fields in areas like health care, skilled trades, education, and select technical programs. After student concern, officials temporarily reinstated those delisted fields on July 4, 2025 for a limited group: people who applied for study permits between June 25 and July 4. IRCC now lists about 920 programs as PGWP‑eligible under the new framework, with the next review expected in early 2026.
The government is also drawing a sharp line between degree and non‑degree study. Students in certificates and diplomas will only qualify if their program’s CIP fields appear on the list; by contrast, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD graduates keep PGWP eligibility regardless of field. Transitional rules protect those who applied for study permits before the first cutoff.
Policy changes — summary and timeline
According to updated guidance, the PGWP list is now anchored to labour market evidence and Express Entry priorities. Officials say this helps steer graduates into sectors that face chronic vacancies, while easing pressure on housing, health systems, and other services in Canada.
Fields that now stand out for eligibility include:
– Health care (nursing, personal support)
– Social services and early childhood education
– Skilled trades (construction, industrial mechanics, industrial electricians)
– Certain engineering and computing specialties
Areas losing ground include:
– General business tracks
– Basic computing curricula
– Many transport‑related programs
The two‑step update created confusion, but the government set clear dates that determine who is covered:
1. Students whose study permit applications were submitted before June 25, 2025 are assessed under the list in place on their filing date.
2. Those who applied between June 25 and July 4, 2025 keep eligibility for the 178 fields that were briefly removed.
3. New applicants after July 4, 2025 must choose from the trimmed list aligned with current shortages.
For official details, see the IRCC PGWP page. We recommend checking the CIP code with your college or university and cross‑referencing it with the IRCC list before paying tuition or making travel plans.
Important: Pick an ineligible program and you may lose the right to work in Canada after graduation, even if employers are hiring.
What students should do — practical checklist
Before you choose a program or sign a lease, confirm that the program appears on the PGWP‑eligible list for your intended intake and that your field aligns with the latest update.
Key actions:
– Ask your institution to confirm in writing that your program’s CIP code is on the PGWP list for your start date.
– Save your letter of acceptance, study permit approval, and proof of when you submitted the study permit application.
– Confirm the official CIP code with your registrar and keep it with your files.
– Keep transcripts and the letter of completion from your school; both are needed for the PGWP application.
– Apply for the PGWP within the allowed window after you receive written confirmation that you’ve completed your program.
– Keep screenshots or PDFs of the eligible list at the time you apply for your study permit.
– If you change programs or schools, check and document whether the new field remains eligible.
According to VisaVerge.com, stronger documentation and early CIP confirmation reduce mistakes that can lead to refused work permit applications later.
Application forms and processing notes
- PGWP applications inside Canada generally use form IMM 5710 — Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker: IMM 5710 — Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker
- Those outside Canada typically submit form IMM 1295 — Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada: IMM 1295 — Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada
Processing rules that remain familiar:
– You must apply within the allowed time after your school issues written proof of completion.
– You need to have maintained full‑time status during most terms.
– Your passport should be valid long enough to cover the requested work permit.
– Students who apply while inside Canada can often start working full‑time while waiting for a decision if they apply before their status expires, but they must follow the conditions listed in their acknowledgement of receipt.
Always verify the latest directions on the IRCC PGWP guide before you file.
Institutional and labour‑market impacts
These changes ripple through daily decisions for international students and institutions alike.
Student behaviour:
– Many students are shifting toward “safe” majors — nursing, early childhood education, construction management — sometimes at higher cost or outside their first choice.
– Students enrolled before the cutoff may still be protected by transitional rules, but they should document timelines and keep proof of when applications were filed.
Institutional responses:
– Programs outside the eligible list could see fewer international applications, especially in general business and basic computing streams.
– Some schools will reframe courses, add work‑integrated elements, or relabel specializations to align with approved CIP fields.
– Others may accept lower enrolment in niche areas that no longer lead to PGWP access.
Example cases:
– A student, Aisha, switched from a general business diploma to a two‑year early childhood education program that remains PGWP‑eligible, accepting a longer commute to keep a path to work after graduation.
– A mid‑size Ontario college paused intake for two transport‑management diplomas that lost eligibility, while expanding seats in industrial electrician and personal support worker programs. Administrators say they will issue written confirmations of PGWP‑eligibility with offer letters to help students plan.
Strategic considerations and outlook
These PGWP shifts are part of a wider reset in 2025, when Canada reduced the number of new study permits and signaled tighter controls on temporary entries. By tying PGWP access to CIP fields that match labour gaps, Ottawa aims to:
– Support long‑term growth in priority sectors
– Lower stress on community services (housing, health care, etc.)
– Align temporary study‑to‑work pathways with Express Entry priorities
The government says the list will be reviewed annually to keep pace with labour data and Express Entry targets. Expect further adjustments and the need to check eligibility each year.
Key takeaway: confirm your program’s CIP code, keep records, and plan your study path with the eligibility calendar in mind.
If you want, I can:
– Help draft an email template to request written CIP confirmation from a school registrar.
– Create a simple timeline you can use to track your study permit application and protections under the transitional rules.
– Summarize the eligibility criteria into a one‑page checklist you can print and keep with your application documents.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025 the Canadian government revised PGWP eligibility by linking qualifying programs to labour‑market evidence and Express Entry priorities. IRCC removed 178 CIP fields on June 25 and added 119 fields in priority sectors such as health care, skilled trades, education, and select technical programs. After student concern, the removed fields were temporarily reinstated for applicants who filed study permit applications between June 25 and July 4, 2025. The new framework lists roughly 920 eligible programs; bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees remain automatically eligible regardless of field, while certificate and diploma graduates must ensure their CIP code appears on the list. Students should verify CIP codes, save written confirmations, and track application dates. IRCC plans another review in early 2026.
