As of November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), introducing a language proficiency requirement for most applicants and a field of study requirement for certain applicants.
York International will continue to monitor announcements and clarifications from IRCC about the eligibility requirements. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
Continue reading for how recent updates may impact undergraduate, graduate and non-degree students.
Last updated: July 7, 2025
Information for Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Students
If you are graduating from a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program at York University and you apply for a post-graduation work permit after November 1, 2024, you will need to provide proof of language ability. Learn about how to meet the proof of language ability requirement.
Degree students will not have an additional field of study requirement. These graduates remain eligible for a PGWP for up to 3 years, regardless of the field of study.
Learn about full eligibility details on the IRCC website.
Does IRCC’s announcements on June 25, 2025 and July 4, 2025, about the field of study requirements impact me?
On June 25, 2025, IRCC announced that the list of eligible fields of study has been updated to reflect the 2025 Express Entry priorities.
On July 4, 2025, IRCC revised the list again, reinstating fields of study that were removed on June 25. These reinstated fields will remain eligible until the next update in early 2026.
This update does not apply to degree seeking students as they are not subject to the field of study requirement.
Information for School of Continuing Studies, Certificate & Diploma Program Students
If you are a student at the School of Continuing Studies, some of the new PGWP updates may impact you. Please explore the following questions and answers for more information.
Does IRCC’s announcements on June 25, 2025 and July 4, 2025, about the field of study requirements impact me?
On June 25, 2025, IRCC announced that the list of eligible fields of study has been updated to reflect the 2025 Express Entry priorities.
On July 4, 2025, IRCC revised the list again, reinstating fields of study that were removed on June 25. These reinstated fields will remain eligible until the next update in early 2026. If you applied for a study permit in one of these fields between June 25 and July 4, you will still meet the field of study requirement upon graduation.
Eligible fields are tied to jobs in long-term shortage in Canada and may change based on labour market needs.
You can continue to check your program’s PGWP eligibility on IRCC’s CIP Code Table by entering the CIP code for your program, which is available at the top of each program page on the SCS website.
Where can I check if my program is still eligible for a PGWP?
You can continue to check your program’s PGWP eligibility on IRCC’s CIP Code Table by entering the CIP code for your program, which is available at the top of each program page on the SCS website.
I’m currently in a program that is no longer on the eligible CIP code list. Am I still eligible for a PGWP?
If at the time of submission of the study permit application, the applicant was enrolled in an eligible field of study that changed at the time of the PGWP application, they remain eligible for the PGWP.
I applied for an initial study permit or study permit extension BEFORE November 1, 2024. How does the new PGWP eligibility criteria impact me?
If you plan to submit a PGWP application on or after November 1, 2024, you will need to provide proof of language ability. Learn about how to meet the proof of language ability requirement.
If you also submitted your initial study permit application or study permit extension application on or before November 1, 2024, you will not have an additional field of study requirement. You remain eligible for a PGWP that matches the length of your program, provided that you meet all other eligibility criteria.
I applied for an initial study permit or study permit extension AFTER November 1, 2024. How does the new PGWP eligibility criteria impact me?
If you applied or will apply for a study permit or study permit extension on or after November 1, 2024, your eligibility for a PGWP may depend on your program of study and meeting the minimum language proficiency now required by the government. IRCC has published all PGWP eligibility requirements.
What are the language requirements to apply for the PGWP?
Starting November 1, 2024, PGWP applications need to include provide proof of language ability. As a graduate from a University-level certificate program, you must prove your English language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas. Learn about how to meet the proof of language ability requirement.
My question is not listed here. Where can I get answers?
This webpage will be continuously updated as information becomes available. Please check back frequently. If you have a question that has not been answered here, please submit an inquiry form.
PGWP Eligibility Criteria
The charts below demonstrate the specific eligibility criteria based on when a student applied for their study permit or study permit extension, highlighting differences in language requirements and the introduction of a field of study requirement for certain categories of graduates.
Eligibility if you applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, and you are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024.
| Graduate Category | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a university | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | No restrictions on field of study |
| Other university programs (diploma/certificate) | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | No restrictions on field of study |
Eligibility if you applied for a study permit extension before November 1, 2024, and you are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024.
| Graduate Category | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a university | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | No restrictions on field of study |
| Other university programs (diploma/certificate) | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | To be clarified by the IRCC |
Eligibility if you applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
| Graduate Category | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a university | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | No restrictions on field of study |
| Other university programs (diploma/certificate) | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | Must graduate in an eligible field of study |
Eligibility if you submit a study permit extension application on or after November 1, 2024.
| Graduate Category | Language Requirement | Field of Study Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a university | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas | No restrictions on field of study |
| Other university programs (diploma/certificate) | Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 areas |
If the study permit extension application is for the current program that you are enrolled in and the study permit application for that program was submitted prior to November 1, 2024, the field of study requirement does not apply. If you are submitting a study permit extension application after November 1, 2024, to pursue a second program, the second program must be an approved field of study to be PGWP eligible. |
