Maple News reports that Canada has updated its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy to remove field of study restrictions for international graduates holding bachelor’s degrees from Canadian colleges. This change, effective from March 2025, aligns college bachelor’s graduates with their university counterparts, who were already exempt from program-specific occupation requirements.
Previously, only graduates from university-level bachelor’s programs were automatically eligible for a PGWP regardless of their field of study. In contrast, those graduating from college bachelor’s programs had to demonstrate that their area of study was related to a sector facing labor shortages in Canada.
The recent update reverses the field of study requirements that were introduced in late 2024 for international students who applied for their first study permits after November 1, 2024. Under the older rule, eligibility for a PGWP for college graduates depended on studying in fields deemed essential to the Canadian labor market. That requirement is now lifted—but only for those with college-level bachelor’s degrees.
It is important to note, however, that the exemption does not extend to graduates of college diploma programs, polytechnic institutions, or other non-university and non-bachelor’s level programs, who are still subject to occupation-specific criteria. Additionally, master’s and doctoral university graduates remain unaffected by these particular restrictions.
While this change marks a more inclusive direction for PGWP accessibility, other eligibility criteria remain in place. All PGWP applicants applying after November 1, 2024, must still meet newly introduced language proficiency standards, which assess candidates’ ability to integrate into Canada’s professional environment.
In Canada, a bachelor’s degree typically requires three to four years of full-time study at a recognized post-secondary institution. Institutions must meet provincial education standards to confer degrees at the bachelor’s level. During the PGWP evaluation process, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will verify the type of credential received and the study permit application date to determine an applicant’s eligibility.
This policy adjustment is seen as a positive step toward making Canada’s immigration pathway more equitable, especially as more colleges begin offering degree-level programs. It also reinforces the federal government’s broader strategy of retaining skilled international graduates who can contribute effectively to Canada’s economy.