With recent changes to the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements, understanding what’s changed and hasn’t can help international graduates plan their careers in Canada.
Effective November 1, 2024, the new requirements bring language proficiency benchmarks and field-of-study criteria into the PGWP application process, making it essential to know how these apply to your situation.
Here’s an in-depth look at what’s evolving.
New Eligibility Requirements for PGWP (Effective November 1, 2024)
The new PGWP criteria introduce both language proficiency and, in some cases, field of study requirements. There are three categories of applicants and the specific requirements you must meet depend on your program type and when you submitted your study permit application.
If You Submitted Your Study Permit Application Before November 1, 2024
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree Graduates
Language Requirement: You’ll need to prove proficiency in English or French with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in all four language areas—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Other University Program Graduates ( e.g a university certificate, diploma or Post graduate diploma or certificate program)
Language Requirement: Similar to degree holders, you must meet a minimum language level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language skills.
College and Non-University Program Graduates
Language Requirement: A minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all four language skills is required.
If You Submit Your Study Permit Application On or After November 1, 2024
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree Graduates
Language Requirement: Minimum CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in English or French is mandatory.
Field of Study: Any field is acceptable; no restrictions apply to specific programs.
Other University Program Graduates
Language Requirement: CLB 7 or NCLC 7 is needed across all four language abilities.
Field of Study Requirement: Your program must be in an eligible field related to occupations facing long-term shortages.
College and Non-University Program Graduates
Language Requirement: You must meet CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all language areas.
Field of Study Requirement: You must graduate from an eligible field of study related to occupations in shortage areas.
Language Requirements
When applying for the PGWP, you need to provide proof of your language abilities to meet the requirements. To assess your proficiency in English or French, we utilize the following benchmarks:
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French
Field of Study Requirements
Some study programs have field-of-study requirements linked to occupations facing long-term labor shortages. These are grouped into five main categories:
Agriculture and Agri-food
Healthcare
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Trade
Transport
Type in your program to see if it falls under any of these categories
What Do These Changes Mean for You?
As you prepare to study in Canada, remember that the rules are designed to help align Canada’s job market needs with incoming talent, making it easier for international grads to thrive here.
If you need guidance in choosing the right program or assessing your options before arriving in Canada, reach out to us for specific, tailored support.
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