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Study Permit Holders Applying Before November 1 Exempt from PGWP Field of Study Requirements

PGWP

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that study permit holders who applied before November 1, 2024, do not need to meet the new field of study requirements to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). However, all applicants must meet updated language proficiency requirements.

Key Updates

  • Date of Study Permit Application Matters:
    • IRCC revised its policy to base field of study exemptions on the date the study permit application was submitted—not the date of the PGWP application.
    • Exemptions apply only to study permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024.
  • Program-Level Differences:
    • University graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees remain unaffected by the field of study requirements, regardless of when they applied.
    • Graduates from college or non-university vocational programs will need to meet field of study criteria if their study permit application is submitted after November 1, 2024.

PGWP Eligibility Breakdown

For Study Permit Applications Submitted Before November 1, 2024:

Level of StudyLanguage RequirementsField of Study Requirements
University bachelor’s, master’s, doctoralCLB/NCLC level 7 in all abilitiesNot applicable
Other university programsCLB/NCLC level 7 in all abilitiesNot applicable
College or non-university programsCLB/NCLC level 5 in all abilitiesNot applicable

For Study Permit Applications Submitted After November 1, 2024:

Level of StudyLanguage RequirementsField of Study Requirements
University bachelor’s, master’s, doctoralCLB/NCLC level 7 in all abilitiesNot applicable
Other university programsCLB/NCLC level 7 in all abilitiesMust graduate from eligible fields
College or non-university programsCLB/NCLC level 5 in all abilitiesMust graduate from eligible fields

Impact of Changing Schools

If you transfer schools after obtaining a study permit submitted before November 1, 2024, you may lose your exemption from the field of study requirements unless your new program is at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level.

From November 8, 2024, international students must apply for a new study permit (or extension) when transferring to a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This makes the most recent study permit application date applicable for determining PGWP eligibility.

To retain PGWP eligibility:

  • Your new school must be a registered DLI and not on the suspension list.
  • Ensure all other applicable PGWP requirements are met.

For guidance on PGWP eligibility and study permits, contact Skynet Immigration. We offer expert advice to help you navigate Canada’s evolving immigration policies. Schedule a free consultation today!

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