Canada’s immigration department has announced a grace period for recent changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. Programs that were removed from the eligible list as of June 25, 2025, will now remain eligible until early 2026.
This update, published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 4, means that international students who applied for a study permit between June 25 and July 4 will still qualify for a PGWP based on the previously removed programs. As a result, the number of PGWP-eligible programs has increased from 920 to 1,107.
The changes primarily affect graduates of non-degree college programs. University bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates, as well as college bachelor's graduates, remain exempt from the new field of study restrictions.
Background: Major PGWP Changes Introduced on June 25
IRCC’s June 25 reforms removed 178 CIP codes from PGWP eligibility, such as the entire “Transport” category, while adding 119 new eligible programs, including many under the “Education” field. These changes apply only to non-degree students who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
Students who applied before June 25, 2025, are protected under previous rules and retain their PGWP eligibility, even if their program has since been removed.
PGWP General Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a PGWP, international students must:
- Complete a program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec) at a PGWP-eligible institution;
- Maintain full-time enrollment throughout their studies (except the final semester);
- Apply within 180 days of program completion;
- Hold a valid study permit at some point during that 180-day window;
- Meet language requirements based on their study level.
For the most up-to-date list of PGWP-eligible programs and application guidelines, students should visit the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
