What Are The New Eligibility Requirements?
There are 2 new eligibility requirements added to the general criteria needed to apply for a PGWP. These are:
1. Language requirement
2. Field of study
Let’s explore these in more detail:
1. Language Requirement
Starting November 1st, 2024, all applicants who apply for a PGWP must submit proof of English or French language ability. The level of ability needed depends on the level of study completed.
PGWP applications who have graduated from a university program must score at least CLB level 7 in all four tested areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
Applications from graduates from a college program must score at least CLB level 5 in all four tested areas (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
Which Language Test Are Accepted?
The following exams are approved for the purpose of applying for a PGWP:
English
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core
French
TEF Canada
TCF Canada
Language tests results are valid for 2 years.
2. Field of Study
Applicants who apply for a study permit after November 1st, 2024 may need to have studied in a targeted field of study to be eligible for a PGWP.
Bear in mind, eligibility for a PGWP has required the program of study to be at least 8 months for many years – and this requirement will continue. This means that we can expect the first lot of applicants required to show an approved field of study to apply for a PGWP in July 2025.
At this time (July 2025), not all applicants will need to show that they have graduated from an eligible field of study. Applicants who graduate from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program will not need to graduate from an eligible field of study to be eligible.
Applicants who graduate from another university program or a college program, must graduate in an eligible field of study. These fields of study are tied to labour shortages and in-demand occupations in Canada.
What Are The Eligible Fields of Study?
The identified fields of study have been divided into 5 categories that match the occupations targeted in Express Entry category-based draws.
These are:
a. Agriculture and agri-food
b. Healthcare
c. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
d. Trade
e. Transport
In addition to dividing into categories, the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) has been used to classify post-secondary education programs according to field of study in Canada.
There are 966 programs identified as eligible, these are: