New Study Permit and PGWP Rules Effective November 1, 2024

Important Update for International Students

Starting November 1, 2024, international students applying for a study permit in Canada will need to comply with new eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.

These changes, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aim to align student programs with labor market needs in Canada.

Key Changes for PGWP Eligibility

1. University Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Graduates:

• Language Requirement: Graduates must demonstrate English or French proficiency at a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French, across all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
• Field of Study Requirement: There are no specific field of study restrictions for those graduating with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. All programs are eligible for PGWP.

2. Graduates of Other University Programs:

• Language Requirement: Graduates must meet the same language benchmark of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French.
• w2Field of Study Requirement: Graduates must have completed a program in an eligible field of study linked to Canada's long-term labor shortages to qualify for the PGWP.

3. College Graduates and Other Programs:

• Language Requirement: Graduates from college programs or other non-university programs must meet a lower language proficiency threshold of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four areas.
• Field of Study Requirement: These graduates also need to complete a program in an eligible field of study to qualify for the PGWP.

Eligible Fields of Study

IRCC has designated 966 eligible fields of study that are tied to occupations experiencing long-term labor shortages. The fields fall under five broad categories:

• Agriculture & Agri-Food
• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trades
• Transport

Master’s Graduates Unaffected

One notable exception to the changes is that Master’s graduates remain unaffected by these new rules. They can continue to apply for the PGWP regardless of their field of study.