October 16th, 2024 at 05:14 am
Canada Announces Eligible Programs for Post-Graduation Work Permits
The latest modifications to Canada’s post-graduation work permit scheme demonstrate the country’s dedication to drawing in foreign talent. This crucial route enables graduates to obtain worthwhile work experience in Canada following graduation, enhancing the nation’s standing as a top educational destination.
This post will look at the most recent modifications to the PGWP and how they affect international students.
Introduction
The most recent information about which programs qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit has been released by Canada. Some international graduates at different levels of study who apply for a PGWP after November 1 will now need to fulfill extra field of study requirements to be eligible for a work permit, under revised guidelines that were issued in September.
According to the PGWP’s eligible fields of study, these study areas can be categorized into groups that correspond with the occupation-based Express Entry groups that the IRCC created in 2023 and that are connected to the National Labor Market criteria. These are the
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trade
- Transport
Similar to the National Occupation Classification system for jobs in Canada, Post-Graduation Work Permit eligible programs in these fields are grouped and listed using the Instructional Programs Canada classification system for describing and categorizing instructional educational programs in the nation.
Examples of educational initiatives that qualify for a PGWP for each subject of study are included in the table below, which was created by CIC and includes the relevant CIP code.
| 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 |
Not all educational programs that qualify for PGWP are included in the above table. Interested visitors can view the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website by clicking this link.
How to Find your CIP code
Those who are new and are aware of the name of their training course and would like to locate the relevant CIP code can take the following actions:
Visit the Statistics Canada website to view the 2021 CIP
Newcomers have two options: they can use the link below to search for terms related to their program, or they can use the main table to browse the links for each available subject of study. Using whichever approach they choose, new users will be taken to a second table that lists the subcategories within each subject of study.
Select the appropriate subcategory for the program you were looking for. To learn more about each category, click the “display definitions” option above the table if you’re not sure which subcategory applies to you.
Click Here
Navigate to the appropriate subcategory
Go to the last table page, which now lists individual training courses within the selected category. The “display definitions” feature can be used by those who are unsure to learn additional details about each application.
Navigate through to the appropriate program
The last page will provide comprehensive details about every program, including examples and exclusions. Keep in mind that program descriptions are quite important when choosing the appropriate CIP code, even though program titles are intended to be general.
New Language Requirements for PGWP Applicants
The IRCC has established language requirements for PGWP eligibility in addition to the new field of study requirements; these requirements vary based on overseas graduates’ education degrees. The table below summarizes both changes:
| Level of Study | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
| University bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | All fields of study are eligible |
| Any other university program | CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
| College program or any other program not listed above | CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
While there is no subject of study requirements for students applying for a PGWP before November 1st of this year, they must still fulfill the abovementioned language requirements.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the modifications made to the work permit program for foreign graduates offer stimulating prospects for those who have completed their studies abroad. By making it easier for students to enter the workforce, Canada boosts its economy and becomes a more desirable place to study.
It will be essential for students who want to get the most out of their time in Canada to stay updated about these changes.
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