What Has Changed in PGWP Eligibility?
On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the list of educational programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This revision aims to better align the PGWP eligibility criteria with Canada’s evolving labour market needs.
Important Update:
On July 4, 2025, IRCC reinstated the 178 fields of study that were removed from PGWP eligibility effective June 25, 2025. Students who submitted study‑permit applications between June 25 and July 4, 2025 in any of those fields are still considered eligible for a PGWP. These restored fields will remain eligible until the next IRCC update, expected in early 2026.
Key Updates:
119 New Fields Added:
Programs in healthcare, social services, education, and skilled trades have been added to the PGWP-eligible list.
178 Fields Briefly Removed, then Re-added:
Programs no longer linked to occupations in long-term labour shortages
Who is affected by these changes?
If You Applied for Your Study Permit Before June 25, 2025:
You remain eligible for a PGWP if your program was on the eligible list at the time of your application—even if that program was briefly removed on June 25, 2025.
If You Applied Between June 25 and July 4, 2025:
You are also eligible—because IRCC reinstated the 178 fields of study that were removed on June 25. This applies retroactively, so those program removals no longer affect your eligibility .
If You Applied After July 4, 2025:
Your PGWP eligibility depends solely on the updated eligibility list as published on July 4, 2025. Only programs that remain listed from that date forward will qualify through early 2026, pending future updates
If You Have a Letter of Acceptance but Have Not Yet Applied:
Check with your institution to confirm if your program remains PGWP-eligible.
Degree Program Applicants (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Medicine, Law, Dentistry):
Your PGWP eligibility remains unchanged.
How to check if your program is still eligible?
Use the Official IRCC Resources
Visit IRCC'’s PGWP page and search by your program’s CIP code.
Confirm With Your Institution
Schools have access to the updated eligibility list and can guide you if changes impact your pathway.
According to Varinder Johal, head of legal at BorderPass, "The best first step for students is to request written confirmation of PGWP eligibility from their Designated Learning Institution.”
How BorderPass can help?
We make immigration simple, transparent, and timely. For students navigating these changes, BorderPass offers:
Legal-backed application support: Our licensed team tracks every policy update and guides you with compliance in mind.
Customized checklists: Know what to submit, when, and why.
Status monitoring: We notify you if your school or program’s eligibility shifts.
