Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily relaxed new restrictions on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility, allowing a wider range of international students to qualify—at least for now.
The federal immigration department has issued a grace period for students who applied for a study permit between June 25 and July 4, 2024. Despite recent eligibility reforms, these students will still meet the field of study requirements for a PGWP after completing their programs.
As a result of this interim measure, the number of PGWP-eligible educational programs has climbed from 920 to 1,107. This expanded list provides students in non-degree college programs with greater flexibility and preserves their post-graduation work prospects—key for those hoping to gain Canadian work experience, a common pathway to permanent residency.
PGWPs are vital for international students seeking to stay and work in Canada after graduation. While graduates of college bachelor’s degrees, university degrees, and graduate programs are unaffected by field-specific requirements, most non-degree college program graduates must adhere to strict PGWP qualification criteria.
This grace period follows major changes introduced on June 25, when IRCC revised the list of PGWP-recognized educational programs. The updates included the removal of 178 program areas classified under the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system, including the complete elimination of the ‘Transport’ category. However, IRCC also added 119 new CIP codes, with many new entries concentrated in the ‘Education’ field.
CIP codes are used by the Canadian government to classify higher education programs according to curriculum focus, not simply by program title. These classifications are central to determining program eligibility for immigration-related pathways like the PGWP.
Importantly, aside from the grace period provided to those who applied between June 25 and July 4, the updated eligibility rules apply to international students in non-degree programs who submit their study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024.
The evolving criteria reflect IRCC’s intention to align the PGWP program with long-term labour market needs while also providing a fair transition period for students who are already mid-process. Maple News will continue to monitor and report updates as IRCC refines its international education policies.