Changes to the PGWP program

IRCC has shared new changes to the PGWP program that will be implemented on November 1st, 2024. The PGWP, or post graduation work permit, is a crucial part of every international student’s journey in Canada, so in this article I will break down these new changes to better help you make sense of everything.

IRCC has announced different requirements for different programs, so I will categorize the changes into groups for your ease of read:

1. Language Requirements

These requirements apply to everyone, starting November 1st, 2024. The only people exempt would be those who apply for a PGWP before these changes are implemented, i.e. before November 1st, 2024.

Regardless of your program, if you graduate from a university, you will have to get a minimum of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French.

On the other hand, if you graduate from a college, the minimum would be CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French.

Keep in mind that your test must be less than 2 years old at the time you submit your PGWP application, and that you must demonstrate your ability in all of the 4 language areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

2. Field Of Study Requirements

These requirements apply only to those who apply for a study permit on or after November 1st, 2024.

If you graduate with a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program, you do not have any field of study requirements.

If you graduate from any other university program, any college program ,or any other eligible program, you must graduate in an eligible field of study.

3. What Has Not Changed

1. DLI Institution: you must still complete your program at a pgwp-eligible institution, that is, a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Find a list to all DLI’s here.
2. Physical Presence: you must still complete the majority of your studies in person, as opposed to distance learning.
3. Current Applicants: If you apply for your PGWP before these changes are implemented, i.e. before November 1st, 2024, then these changes do not apply to you.
4. Flight School Graduates: If you graduate from a pgwp-eligible institution, these changes do not apply to you, whether you apply for your PGWP before or after November 1st, 2024.

4. Eligible Fields Of Study

These fields of study are aligned with long term shortage areas in Canada. If your program is in any of these fields, you are eligible for a PGWP:

• healthcare occupations
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations.
• trade occupations
• transportation occupations
• agriculture and agri-food occupations

Again, for the full list, please visit the IRCC website for eligible fields of study, linked here.

5. Eligible Language Tests

1. English
   • CELPIP – You should take the CELPIP-General test
   • IELTS – You should take the IELTS General Training option
   • PTE Core – You should take the PTE Core option
2. French
   • TEF
   • TCF

You only need to prove your efficiency in one of the two.