🇨🇦 Canada Adds 119 New Study Fields to PGWP Eligibility for 2025

Dreaming of studying and working in Canada? You’ve got even more options now. Canada has just revamped its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility list, adding 119 new high-demand study fields for 2025. That means more pathways to stay and work in Canada after you graduate.

   

Here’s what’s new, who it affects, and how you can make the most of this update.

Canada’s Big Move: More Programs for a Growing Job Market

On 25 June 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rolled out a major update. The government added 119 new programs to the PGWP eligibility list, while removing 178 others that no longer align with labour market needs.

This update is all about guiding international students into careers that Canada urgently needs — like healthcare, skilled trades, and STEM — instead of fields where job demand is dropping.

👉 See Canada’s official update here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

Who Will This Affect?

This update mostly targets non-degree program students who plan to apply for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024.

If you applied for a study permit before 25 June 2025, don’t worry — the old eligibility rules still apply to you. University graduates and flight school students also have slightly different requirements (more on that below).

Where Are the New Opportunities?

Canada’s overhauled PGWP list now features 920 approved study programs, with a clear push toward filling labour shortages. Here’s a taste of what’s new:

Healthcare

• Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Dentistry (DDS, DMD)
• Dental Sciences

Education & Arts

• French Language Teacher Education
• Biology, Chemistry & Drama Teacher Programs
• Dance Teacher Education

Skilled Trades

• Cabinetmaking & Millwork
• Construction Project Management
• CNC Machinist Programs

STEM & Architecture

• Advanced Architectural Design
• Landscape Architecture

These additions make it easier for international students to transition directly into Canada’s most in-demand sectors after graduation.

Fields That Lost Eligibility

Not all areas fared well in this update. Canada removed most transport-related programs, nearly all traditional agriculture courses (keeping only one agri-food program), and even some STEM options like environmental studies and marine resources management.

Why? According to IRCC, these programs are tied to jobs that “are no longer experiencing labour shortages.” Canada wants to direct its graduates — and future workforce — into fields where demand is still strong.

Updated Language & Score Requirements

Language proficiency still matters under these new PGWP rules:

Education Level	Minimum CLB/NCLC Score
Non-University Grads	5
University Graduates	7
Flight School Grads	Exempt from field-specific rules

Flight school students continue to enjoy more flexibility, staying exempt from the field-specific eligibility lists.

Why Canada Is Doing This

It’s simple: Canada needs more talent in areas driving its economy forward. With healthcare systems under strain, schools needing specialized teachers, and digital transformation booming in every sector, the government wants international graduates who can fill real gaps.

By tying PGWP eligibility to specific study fields, Canada ensures that students are more likely to find good jobs after they graduate — and that employers get the skilled workers they desperately need.

How You Can Use This to Your Advantage

If you’re planning to study in Canada, this is your signal to be strategic:

✅ Choose your program wisely.
Focus on areas added to the new PGWP list — healthcare, skilled trades, teaching, STEM, and architecture. That way, you’re lining up your degree with Canada’s workforce needs.

✅ Check your eligibility early.
Review the updated list of eligible programs organized by Canada’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system.
Get the full list here

✅ Prepare for your language tests.
A stronger IELTS or CELPIP score can make the process smoother and open doors to more opportunities.

✅ Keep your eye on dates.
If you’re applying after 1 November 2024, the new rules will apply. The earlier you prepare, the better your chances.

FAQs

Q1: Will my program still qualify if I applied before June 2025?
Yes. If your study permit application was submitted before 25 June 2025, you’re assessed under the old rules.

Q2: Can I switch programs to stay eligible?
Possibly — but talk to your school and an immigration advisor first to understand the impact on your study permit.

Q3: Are university programs also affected?
Mainly, these changes target non-degree programs. University programs still follow the existing PGWP rules with higher language requirements.

Q4: Why did Canada remove so many transport and environmental programs?
Because those industries currently don’t face the same labour shortages as healthcare, education, and digital trades.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s updated PGWP list — now with 119 new eligible study fields — is a clear invitation for international students to build careers where the country truly needs talent.

So if you’re serious about studying and working in Canada, do your homework, pick a future-proof program, and prepare to launch a rewarding life abroad.

More Opportunities: