How to Confirm Your Study Program Qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada

If you’re hoping to live in Canada and work after you study, don’t worry about chance – PGWP eligibility is based on good planning.

Many international students hope to settle down in Canada after their studies, but before you start counting your first paycheck or dreaming of your downtown apartment, you have to check one important thing first: is your program one of the PGWP-eligible programs in Canada?

Let’s break it down in simple words.

Why PGWP Eligibility Is Not Automatic Anymore

In late 2024, Canada highlighted the urgency of the field of study requirements. That means:

• Simply being at a Canadian college or university is no longer enough.
• Your specific program must matter to an in-demand job in Canada.

And if you applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, you are now subject to these new rules.

Who Needs to Meet the Field of Study Rules?

Level of Study	Field of Study Requirement
College Bachelor’s	Not required
University Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD	Not required
Other University Programs	Must match eligible fields
College Diplomas/Certificates	Must match eligible fields

In short: non-degree programs must follow stricter rules.

Two Easy Steps to Confirm If Your Program Is Eligible

Before you invest time, money, and energy into your studies, do this:

Step 1: Find Your Program’s CIP Code

Every program of study has a CIP code, like its digital fingerprint.

How to find it:

• Go to the Statistics Canada CIP tool.
• Search for your program title.
• Be sure to read the descriptions carefully, and not just pick a title. Titles can be misleading, so look for a description that fits what you are actually studying.

Tip: Your college or university website may already have the CIP code. If you can’t find it there, email them – they will know.

Step 2: Check If That Code Is PGWP-eligible

Once you find your code, check it against the most up-to-date list of eligible programs.

Currently, these categories of programs are approved:

• Agriculture & agri-food
• Education
• Health care & social services
• STEM
• Skilled trades
• Transport

If you are building or healing something, it is likely eligible.

Other Must-Know Criteria

Even if your program is eligible, you still must meet Canada’s post-graduate work permit requirements, such as:

• Your study program must be at least 8 months long (or 900 hours in Quebec).
• You must study full-time every semester (except possibly the last semester).
• You must apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation.
• Your study permit must have been valid at some point in those 180 days.
• You must be able to meet minimum language requirements (CLB 5 or 7, based on level of study program completion).

In Simple Words: Don’t Assume – Confirm

Before you start packing your bags, confirm your CIP code. Confirm the eligibility. Confirm the requirements.

Because in Canada, hope is not a strategy – planning is.

Your Next Step: Choose the Right Institution

Not every school qualifies. Be sure you study at DLI-approved colleges for PGWP in Canada.

If you’re feeling lost in the sea of rules and codes, don’t worry. VisaExperts is here to guide you with clarity. From helping you select PGWP-compliant programs to navigating requirements – we make your dream of studying (and staying) in Canada smoother and smarter.

Visit us today to know how we can help you!