It has been risky for months. Here, we understand which programs are qualified for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and the person who will be impacted. In this article, you will be required to know that:
- Modifications influence only those who present a study application after November 1, 2024.
- Institutional graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs will not be required to indicate an in-demand study area.
- Other institutional graduate programs will be required to graduate from a qualified study area.
- Areas of study are separated into five broad classifications, aligning professions aimed at Express Entry category-based draws.
- More than 966 programs are recognized as qualified areas of study for a Post Graduate Work Permit.
- All PGWP candidates, regardless of when they applied for their study permit, are required to ascertain appropriate language skills.
The New Qualification Conditions
Two new qualification conditions are attached to the standard measure required to apply for a post-graduation work permit. These include:
- Language condition
- Area of Study
We will explain these in detail below:
Language Condition
Beginning on November 1, 2024, every candidate applying for a Postgraduate Work Permit must present evidence of English or French language proficiency. The level of capacity required is based on the study level completed.
Postgraduate work Permit applicants who have completed a university course are required to score a minimum CLB level 7 in all four examined parts, which include speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Approved Language Test
The following tests are endorsed for the intention of making an application for a Post Graduate Work Permit:
English
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) core
French
- TEF Canada
- TCF Canada
The language exam results are authentic for 24 months.
Field of Study
Candidates who applied for a study permit after November 1, 2024, may be required to have studied in an area of study to be qualified for a Postgraduate Work Permit.
Remember that for several years, qualifying for a Postgraduate Work Permit has required the program of study to be a minimum of 8 months, and this condition will continue. This implies that we can anticipate the first lot of candidates needed to demonstrate an endorsed area of study to make an application for a Postgraduate Work Permit in July 2025.
At this time in July 2025, not all candidates will be required to demonstrate that they have concluded studies from a qualified study area. Candidates who have completed university bachelor’s degree, master’s, or doctoral courses will not be required to graduate from a qualified area of study to be qualified.
Candidates who graduate from another instructional program must graduate in a qualified area of study. These areas of study are tied to labor shortages and in-demand professions in Canada.
The Eligible Areas Of Study
The recognized areas of study have been separated into five classes that align with the professions aimed at the Express Entry category-based draws. These include:
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Trade
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
Furthermore, to separate into classes, the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) has been utilized to categorize post-secondary education courses based on area of study in Canada.