- IRCC postpones removal of certain study programs from PGWP eligibility until early 2026.
- Students who applied between 25 June and 4 July 2025 remain eligible.
- Update expands the list of eligible programs from 920 to 1,107.
In a significant policy adjustment, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted a grace period for study programs initially removed from eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs).
This development expands the total number of eligible academic programs under the PGWP scheme to 1,107, up from 920. The change is particularly relevant for non-degree college graduates, as university-level graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) are exempt from field-of-study requirements.
PGWP Grace Period Offers Relief to International College Students in Canada
The June 2025 update introduced sweeping reforms by altering the list of eligible programs under the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. While 119 new programs were added—including new education-focused fields—178 programs were removed entirely, including the entire “Transport” category. These changes were designed to align education outcomes more closely with Canada’s evolving labour demands.
Students who submitted their study permit applications before 25 June 2025 are “grandfathered” into the previous policy, ensuring their eligibility regardless of later changes. This protects those who planned their education based on earlier program qualifications and mitigates potential disruption to their academic and career trajectories.
PGWPs are open work permits that allow graduates of eligible Canadian institutions to gain valuable work experience for up to three years. To qualify, students must complete a program of at least eight months (or 900 hours in Quebec), maintain full-time status, and apply for their PGWP within 180 days of graduation while meeting specific language proficiency standards.
This delay signals Canada’s willingness to balance educational policy changes with fairness and transition support for international students. It also reflects broader efforts to ensure immigration policies align with both individual career opportunities and national workforce priorities.
Canada’s decision to delay PGWP eligibility changes offers international students vital flexibility and preserves access to post-graduation work opportunities during a critical transition period.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X
