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Studying in Canada and the U.S.
IRCC Just Updated PGWP Rules & Here's What They Could Mean for You
Learn who’s affected by the new PGWP rules, what changed, and how BorderPass helps students navigate these updates.
Written by: BorderPass Corp.
Last updated:
June 2025
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.
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 Removed: Programs no longer linked to occupations in long-term labour shortages have been removed from eligibility.
Who is affected by these changes?
If You Applied for Your Study Permit Before June 25, 2025:
- You are still eligible for a PGWP, provided your program was eligible at the time of your application.
If You Applied After June 24, 2025:
- Your eligibility depends on whether your program is on the updated PGWP-eligible list.
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.
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