IRCC declares eligible programs for PGWPs, i.e., Post-Graduation Work Permits. 

Under the new guidelines declared in September, some international graduates at various levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to meet additional field of study requirements to be eligible for a work permit. 

Note: Field of study requirements do not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD graduates. 

What Are The Eligible Fields Of Study For PGWPs? 

IRCC declares eligible programs for PGWPs. Well, eligible fields of study for the PGWP can be categorized by fields that mirror the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023. 

These are: 

• Healthcare
• STEM Professions
• Trade
• Transport
• Agriculture/ Agri-Food 

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligible programs in these fields are grouped and listed using the Classification of Instructional Programs, Canada’s system for describing and categorizing instruction/ educational programs in the country – similar to the National Occupational Classification system for jobs in Canada. 

Below are the examples highlighting instructional programs that are eligible for a PGWP for each field of study, with their corresponding CIP code:

Agriculture and agri-food:

• Agricultural business and management, general (01.0101)
• Animal/livestock husbandry and production (01.0302)
• Plant nursery operations and management (01.0606)
• Animal health (01.0903)
• Agronomy and crop science (01.1102)

Healthcare:

• Special education and teaching, general (13.1001)
• Exercise physiology (26.0908)
• Physical therapy assistant (51.0806)
• Polysomnography (51.0917)
• Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist (51.1002)

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics):

• Computer programming/programmer, general (11.0201)
• Chemical engineering (14.0701)
• Engineering mechanics (14.1101)
• Water, wetlands, and marine resources management (03.0205)
• Computer graphics (11.0803)

Trade:

• Electrician (46.0302)
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) technician (47.0201)
• Machine tool technology/machinist (48.0501)
• Insulator (46.0414)
• Plumbing technology/plumber (46.0503)

Transport:

• Heavy equipment maintenance technician (47.0302)
• Air traffic controller (49.0105)
• Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle instructor (49.0205)
• Flight instructor (49.0108)
• Other transportation and materials moving programs (49.9999)

How To Find Your CIP Code 

IRCC declares eligible programs for PGWPs. Thus, newcomers who know the title of their instructional program, & who would like to find the corresponding CIP code can follow these steps: 

• Go to the Statistics Canada webpage for 2021 CIP.

• Newcomers can either search for keywords relating to their program in the search bar above the table section or navigate through the available field of study links in the main table. 
• Through either method, newcomers will be directed to a second table which presents sub-categories for each field of study.

• Choose the relevant sub-category to the program searched for. Those who are unsure which sub-category is relevant can use the ‘display definitions’ button above the table to read more about each category. 
• Click through to the relevant sub-category. 
• Navigate to the final table page, which now details specific instructional programs in the chosen category. Those unsure might also use the ‘display definitions’ function to read more about each program. 
• Click through to the relevant program.
• The final page will detail each program’s information, including examples and exclusions. Note that program turtles are meant to be broad, and so program descriptions are highly relevant to picking the correct CIP code.  

New Language Criteria Introduced For PGWP Applicants

In addition to the new field of study requirements, IRCC has also implemented language requirements for PGWP eligibility, which vary depending on the level of study of international students. Both changes are summarized in the table below: 

Students applying for a PGWP before November 1 of this year do not have field of study requirements, but they must still meet the language criteria listed above. 

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].