Canada Issues Updated Guidelines for Post-Graduation Work Permit

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has some new rules for people who want to get the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Starting from November 1st, if you are an international student who has recently graduated, you will have to meet new requirements based on what you studied to get the PGWP, as reported by CIC News.

These new rules are designed to make sure that the work permits are granted in line with what Canada needs for jobs. Canada wants to make sure that the people they allow to work there can fill the job positions that are important for the country.

The IRCC aims to make it easier for newcomers and to better help Canadian businesses and the overall economy.

Who Can Apply 

Now, to get a PGWP, your studies should be in certain areas that match up with Canada’s Express Entry categories set in 2023. These areas are:

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

Each area of study is identified using a special system called the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP). This is similar to another system used for classifying jobs.

Here are some examples of programs that qualify:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food: Agricultural business management (CIP 01.0101), animal health (CIP 01.0903)
• Healthcare: Exercise physiology (CIP 26.0908), physical therapy assistant (CIP 51.0806)
• STEM: Computer programming (CIP 11.0201), chemical engineering (CIP 14.0701)
• Trade: Electrician (CIP 46.0302), plumbing technology (CIP 46.0503)
• Transport: Air traffic controller (CIP 49.0105), truck driver (CIP 49.0205)

The IRCC recommends checking their official website to find a full list of programs that make you eligible for a PGWP.

Steps to Check Eligibility 

If you graduated from a program and want to check if it’s eligible for a PGWP, here’s what you can do:

• Go to the Statistics Canada website and look for the 2021 CIP section.
• You can type in words related to your study program in the search box or browse through the links.
• Make sure to find the right sub-category for your program.
• Select it to see more information about the program, including examples and what isn’t included.

This makes sure you know for sure if you can apply for a PGWP based on what you studied.

Language Skills Needed: 

Besides studying in the right field, you also need to prove your language skills now. This depends on what degree you’ve got:

For University Degrees (like a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral), you need to score CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four areas—speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

To get the NCLC certificate, international students must take a language test that checks how well they speak French. These tests measure your ability to speak, listen, read, and write.

After you take the test, you’ll get a score showing your language level. There are places you can take these tests through organizations approved by the Canadian government, like the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

• For Other University Programs: The language requirement is the same as above, but you must also study in an eligible field.
• For College or Other Non-University Programs: You need to get CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all areas and study in an eligible field.

If you’re applying for a PGWP before November 1st, don’t worry about the new study requirements, but you still need to meet the language rules already in place.