On July 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will postpone the removal of certain study programs from the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility list until early 2026.
This means that programs initially slated for removal from PGWP eligibility on June 25, 2025, will continue to qualify for PGWP until the next update in early 2026.
▶ Reference: June 25, 2025 update – PGWP eligibility list changes

Under this grace period, international students who applied for a study permit between June 25 and July 4, 2025, for one of the affected programs will still be eligible for a PGWP after graduation.
As a result of this change, the number of PGWP-eligible programs has increased from 920 to 1,107.

This grace period applies to:

• Students who applied for a study permit between June 25 and July 4, 2025
• Students enrolled in non-degree programs, such as diplomas and certificates at public colleges

Note: Students enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs at universities are not affected by the field of study restrictions.

PGWP eligibility is based on the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code assigned to your study program.
IRCC updated the list of eligible CIP codes on July 4, 2025.
▶ Check IRCC: Field of Study Requirements for PGWP

Let’s take a moment to review what the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is all about.

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

A PGWP is an open work permit available to international students who graduate from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions.
It allows graduates to work in Canada for up to three years, depending on the length of their program.
The PGWP is not tied to a specific employer or job, offering the freedom to work in any industry or occupation.

General PGWP Eligibility Requirements (as of July 2025)

To be eligible for a PGWP, international students must:

• Complete a program of at least 8 months in duration (or 900 hours in Quebec) at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) eligible for PGWP
• Maintain full-time student status in each academic term (part-time status is allowed in the final term)
• Apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of graduation
• Hold a valid study permit at some point during the 180-day period after program completion
• Meet language proficiency requirements, depending on the level of the program

With this update, many students planning to enroll in diploma and certificate programs that were previously removed from the eligibility list now have a renewed opportunity to obtain a PGWP.
This is especially important for students aiming to gain Canadian work experience and eventually apply for permanent residence.
If you are unsure whether your program qualifies, please feel free to contact us at Visa JP Canada for support and personalized advice.

Note: This article is based on information available as of July 9, 2025. Immigration policies are subject to change without notice. Always refer to official sources for the most up-to-date information.