International graduates of college bachelor’s programmes in Canada will no longer be required to meet field-of-study criteria to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
The change, effective March 2025, eliminates restrictions that previously applied to college students but not university graduates. The policy shift is expected to boost work opportunities for thousands of students who may now enter the Canadian workforce without field-specific limitations.
Previously, only graduates of university bachelor's programmes were exempt from field-of-study requirements, while college degree holders had to prove their programme aligned with Canada's labour market shortages. The new rule corrects this imbalance, offering equal treatment to college and university graduates seeking employment after graduation.
Background on PGWP eligibility
The PGWP is a vital pathway for international graduates to gain Canadian work experience, which often leads to permanent residency. Under the rules established in late 2024, students applying for a PGWP after November 1, 2024, needed to meet both language proficiency and, in some cases, field-of-study criteria. However, college bachelor’s graduates were disproportionately affected, leading to widespread concerns from students and educators.
While field-of-study restrictions have been removed for college bachelor's graduates, other applicants, including those from non-degree college, polytechnic, and certificate programmes, remain subject to labour market alignment requirements. Additionally, graduates from non-bachelor’s, non-master’s, and non-doctoral university programmes must also comply with these criteria.
New language requirements
Although the field-of-study requirement has been lifted for many students, language proficiency remains a key eligibility factor. All PGWP applicants applying after November 1, 2024, must meet updated language standards. These require students to demonstrate competency in either English or French at a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7.
Graduates from flight schools and those who submitted their PGWP applications before November 1, 2024, remain exempt from both language and field-of-study requirements. However, they must still meet the general eligibility conditions for the PGWP.
Who remains ineligible?
Despite the relaxed rules for college bachelor’s graduates, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has maintained PGWP ineligibility for certain categories of students. Those who fall under the following conditions remain unable to obtain a PGWP:
- Graduates who have already received a PGWP for a previous programme.
- Students who primarily studied English or French as a second language.
- Those who took general interest or self-improvement courses.
- Students funded by Global Affairs Canada who must return to their home country.
- Graduates who completed over 50 percent of their programme through online learning and do not qualify under COVID-19 measures.
- Those who attended non-Canadian institutions located within Canada.
- Graduates of programmes offered under curriculum-licensing agreements that are not PGWP-eligible.
Why were field-of-study restrictions introduced?
The Canadian government first implemented the field-of-study requirement in late 2024 as part of broader immigration reforms. The aim was to control the number of temporary residents, including work and study permit holders, in response to domestic housing and affordability pressures. The restrictions were designed to align post-graduate work permits with critical economic sectors, ensuring international graduates filled jobs in areas with labour shortages.
The six priority fields identified by IRCC included:
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Education
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Trades
- Transport
While these sectors remain a focus for Canada's workforce strategy, the government’s latest decision acknowledges that restricting college bachelor’s graduates may have disproportionately disadvantaged institutions outside the university system.
Concerns over discrimination
Canadian colleges had long protested the policy, arguing that the restrictions unfairly discriminated against their graduates. Research showed that international students were overrepresented in business-related programmes in colleges, especially in urban centres. In contrast, more than half of international students in the U.S. were enrolled in STEM fields.
Rupa Banerjee, a Canada Research Chair at Toronto Metropolitan University, previously told CBC News that many students were graduating from programmes that did not align with Canadian labour market needs. This misalignment contributed to underemployment among international graduates. However, colleges countered that their programmes, including business degrees, often provided niche skills valuable to the Canadian economy.
On 2 October 2024, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), the peak body representing public colleges, voiced concerns about the policy’s impact. The organisation argued that Ottawa’s emphasis on aligning college programmes with national workforce needs overlooked local labour market demands and undervalued college degrees approved by provincial education bodies.
With the removal of the field-of-study requirement for college bachelor’s graduates, institutions may now work towards rebuilding their reputation and recruitment efforts in key international markets. Given the continued demand for Canada’s PGWP programme, this policy reversal could significantly influence international student enrolment trends.