On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the list of fields of study that qualify international students for a Post-Graduation Work
Canada Updates the Field-of-Study List for Post-Graduation Work Permits
On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the list of fields of study that qualify international students for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). For many college students, this list now decides whether they can work in Canada after graduation.
Who is Affected?
The field-of-study requirement applies to:
- international students in non-degree programs (programs other than bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees)
- students who applied for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024
Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs are not subject to this requirement.
What Changed on June 25, 2025
- The list was aligned with Canada’s 2025 Express Entry priorities.
- 119 fields of study were added, in areas such as health care and social services, education and trades.
- 178 fields were removed because they were no longer linked to long-term labour shortages.
- After the update, the list contained 920 eligible fields of study.
The July 4, 2025 Update
On July 4, 2025, IRCC updated the list again and added back the fields of study that had been removed on June 25. According to IRCC, these fields will stay eligible until the list is next updated. Students who applied for a study permit in one of those fields between June 25 and July 4 will still meet the requirement when they graduate.
Protection for Earlier Applicants
Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025 remain eligible if their field of study was on the list when they applied, even if it is removed later.
Next Steps for Students
- Confirm the CIP code of your program with your school.
- Check the code against IRCC’s official list before you apply for a study permit or change programs.
- Keep a record of the date you applied for your study permit.
Because the list is tied to labour market needs, it may change again. Choosing a program with this requirement in mind protects your options after graduation.
To check whether your program can lead to a post-graduation work permit, complete our online assessment or contact our office to book a consultation.
Source: IRCC notice – PGWP field-of-study requirement update