IRCC Officially Removes Field of Study Requirements for PGWP Graduates with Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD Degrees: New Opportunities for International Students
On March 12, 2025, the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced a significant change to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy. Under this change, graduates with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees from accredited higher education institutions will no longer be bound by specific field of study requirements to qualify for a PGWP. This means that regardless of their major, if they graduate from a valid program, students can apply for a PGWP and be permitted to work in Canada.
Major Changes
- No more field of study requirements : Previously, some college programs might not qualify for a PGWP because they were not in priority fields. However, with the new policy, all graduates from accredited college bachelor's degree programs will be eligible for this benefit, equivalent to graduates from universities.
- Continuing the requirement to study at eligible educational institutions : Only students graduating from schools accredited by IRCC can apply for a PGWP. Therefore, international students should check the list of designated educational institutions (DLIs) before enrolling.
- Limiting the number of study permits : IRCC also announced that in 2025, the number of study permits will be reduced by 10% compared to 2024, meaning approximately 437,000 permits will be issued. This is part of a plan to control the number of international students and ensure that the Canadian education system and labor market can adequately accommodate them.
- Minimum Language Proficiency Requirements : Starting November 1, 2024, IRCC will implement minimum language proficiency requirements for PGWP applicants. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmarks) in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
New Opportunities for International Students
This policy change expands opportunities for international students to work and settle in Canada, particularly those pursuing bachelor's degrees at colleges. This creates greater equity between university and college students and promotes diversity in Canada's skilled workforce.
However, due to the reduced quota of study permits, international students need to employ smarter application strategies to increase their chances of approval.
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- Consultation and support for applying for a PGWP under the latest policies.
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