The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new guidelines regarding the eligibility for ...-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
According to CIC News, from November 1st, international graduates will face additional requirements related to their fields of study to qualify for the PGWP.
The changes made to the work permit rules, seek to match the work permit process with national labour market needs; ensuring that they fit the market in Canada.
The IRCC, according to reports, is trying to make the immigration process better so that it effectively supports the needs of employers and the economy.
Details inform that the PGWP eligibility now focuses on specific fields of study that correspond to the Express Entry categories introduced in 2023. These fields include:
Each field of study is classified using the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), which categorizes educational programs in Canada. This system is similar to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) used for jobs.
The IRCC encourages newcomers to consult its website for a comprehensive list of PGWP-eligible programs.
As disclosed in the report, international graduates looking to confirm their program’s eligibility can find their corresponding CIP code by following these steps:
This process helps ensure that graduates can accurately determine their eligibility for the PGWP based on their educational background.
In addition to the field of study requirements, the IRCC has also introduced language criteria for PGWP applicants. These requirements differ based on the level of study:
University Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral): Must achieve Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French across all four language areas.
International students can gain the NCLC certificate by taking an approved language assessment test that evaluates their French language skills. These tests typically measure proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Once they complete the test, they receive a score that corresponds to the NCLC levels. Students can find test centres and details about the assessments through organizations recognized by the Canadian government, such as the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Students applying for a PGWP before November 1st do not have to meet the new field of study requirements but must still satisfy the existing language criteria.