Canada Announces Eligible Programs for Work Permits

Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new eligibility guidelines for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which will take effect on November 1, 2024. This change is designed to align the program more closely with the country's labor market needs, encouraging international graduates to fill roles in sectors that are crucial for Canada's economic development .

Under the new guidelines, international graduates will need to have completed programs categorized under five key fields: Agriculture and Agri-Food, Healthcare, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Trade, and Transport. These categories will utilize the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system, which links educational programs to relevant job opportunities. For example, programs in Agricultural Business Management and Computer Programming are now recognized as eligible fields .

Additionally, the IRCC is introducing updated language proficiency requirements for graduates. Those with university degrees must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French across all language skills. For graduates from college or non-university programs, a lower benchmark of CLB 5 will suffice. This emphasis on language skills aims to ensure that graduates are equipped to thrive in the Canadian workforce .

International students who plan to apply for the PGWP before the new criteria are implemented will not be subject to the updated field of study requirements but must still meet the existing language standards. The IRCC advises potential applicants to check their program's eligibility and understand the implications of these changes by visiting official resources .