The Canadian government has taken a significant step to enhance the appeal of its education system for international students by removing the field-of-study restriction for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for degree graduates from colleges. This policy change, implemented by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), levels the playing field between college and university graduates and restores a key advantage for Canadian colleges in the global education market.
Policy Change Overview
Previously, as part of an effort to reform the international education sector, the Canadian government introduced a field-of-study requirement in 2024 for graduates of college degree programs. This requirement did not apply to universities, which placed colleges at a disadvantage in attracting international students. Now, IRCC has revised its guidelines to allow graduates from all Canadian bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs—whether from universities or colleges—to apply for a PGWP without any field-of-study restrictions.
Why Was the Restriction Initially Implemented?
The restriction stemmed from concerns about international students being disproportionately enrolled in business programs at colleges, particularly in urban centres, while fewer pursued programs in other fields such as STEM that are particularly more valuable to the labour market.
New Eligibility Requirements for PGWP for Graduates of Degree Programs
To qualify for a PGWP under the revised rules, graduates must:
- Hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a Canadian institution (college or university).
- Meet the language requirement, which includes a minimum Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all four language skills.
Field of study requirement
- There are no field of study requirements for graduates with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree.
What This Means for International Students
This policy shift provides greater flexibility for international students choosing their degree programs at public colleges or polytechnics. Now, students can confidently enrol in a wide range of disciplines without concerns about whether their field of study will impact their ability to obtain a work permit after graduation.
Key Benefits
- Expanded Work Opportunities: International graduates from college degree programs can now gain valuable Canadian work experience, which is crucial for career growth and potential pathways to permanent residency.
- Increased Attractiveness of Canadian Colleges: The policy reversal helps colleges restore their competitive standing in international student recruitment.
- Greater Clarity and Stability: Students planning their education in Canada can now make informed decisions with greater certainty about their post-graduation prospects.
Industry Reactions
The previous field-of-study restriction created an uneven playing field between universities and colleges, leading to concerns about undue discrimination against college programs. Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) argued that requiring public colleges to align their programs with national labour market needs imposed an unfair burden, as colleges often tailor their programs to local employment demands.
In a statement, CICan emphasized the need for a more balanced approach:
“Ottawa’s decision to align programs with national needs creates a fundamental disconnect between the pressing needs of local labor markets and the essential contributions of skilled international graduates from the over 10,000 diploma and bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields across our network.”
While the removal of the field-of-study requirement is a positive development, Canadian colleges may still face challenges in rebuilding trust and re-establishing their standing in key international recruitment markets.
Are You Studying or Planning to Study in Canada?
If you’re currently studying or planning to study in Canada and want to understand how these recent changes impact your post-graduation work opportunities, we’re here to help.
Schedule a personalized one-on-one consultation with our experienced immigration consultants to navigate these updates with confidence.
Our team will assess your eligibility, guide you through the PGWP application process, and ensure you’re on the right path to gaining valuable Canadian work experience. Contact us today to book your consultation and take the next step toward your future in Canada!
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
