“
IRCC Announces Eligible Programs for PGWPs
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidelines regarding the programs eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). As of November 1, international graduates applying for a PGWP must meet additional field of study requirements to qualify for this essential work permit.
Eligible Fields of Study for PGWPs
The eligible fields of study for the PGWP correspond to the occupation-based Express Entry categories introduced by IRCC in 2023. These categories are aligned with national labor market demands and include the following:
• Agriculture and Agri-Food
• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trade
• Transport
Eligible programs in these fields are classified using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), a systematic approach to describing and categorizing educational programs in Canada, akin to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system used for job classification.
Below is a summary of selected instructional programs eligible for the PGWP, along with their respective CIP codes:
CIP 2021 Title CIP 2021 Code Field of Study Category
Agricultural business and management, general 01.0101 Agriculture and agri-food
Animal/livestock husbandry and production 01.0302 Agriculture and agri-food
Plant nursery operations and management 01.0606 Agriculture and agri-food
Animal health 01.0903 Agriculture and agri-food
Agronomy and crop science 01.1102 Agriculture and agri-food
Special education and teaching, general 13.1001 Healthcare
Exercise physiology 26.0908 Healthcare
Physical therapy assistant 51.0806 Healthcare
Polysomnography 51.0917 Healthcare
Cytotechnology/cytotechnologist 51.1002 Healthcare
Computer programming/programmer, general 11.0201 STEM
Chemical engineering 14.0701 STEM
Engineering mechanics 14.1101 STEM
Water, wetlands and marine resources management 03.0205 STEM
Computer graphics 11.0803 STEM
Electrician 46.0302 Trade
Heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician 47.0201 Trade
Machine tool technology/machinist 48.0501 Trade
Insulator 46.0414 Trade
Plumbing technology/plumber 46.0503 Trade
Heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician 47.0302 Transport
Air traffic controller 49.0105 Transport
Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor 49.0205 Transport
Flight instructor 49.0108 Transport
Transportation and materials moving, other 49.9999 Transport
”
”