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Eligible Field of Study and Language Requirements for PGWP Application Effective November 2024


PGWP Application 2024

With recent changes to the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements, understanding what’s changed and hasn’t can help international graduates plan their careers in Canada.


Effective November 1, 2024, the new requirements bring language proficiency benchmarks and field-of-study criteria into the PGWP application process, making it essential to know how these apply to your situation.


Here’s an in-depth look at what’s evolving.


New Eligibility Requirements for PGWP (Effective November 1, 2024)

The new PGWP criteria introduce both language proficiency and, in some cases, field of study requirements. There are three categories of applicants and the specific requirements you must meet depend on your program type and when you submitted your study permit application.


If You Submitted Your Study Permit Application Before November 1, 2024

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree Graduates

    • Language Requirement: You’ll need to prove proficiency in English or French with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in all four language areas—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

  • Other University Program Graduates ( e.g a university certificate, diploma or Post graduate diploma or certificate program)

    • Language Requirement: Similar to degree holders, you must meet a minimum language level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language skills.

  • College and Non-University Program Graduates

    • Language Requirement: A minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all four language skills is required.



If You Submit Your Study Permit Application On or After November 1, 2024

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree Graduates

    • Language Requirement: Minimum CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in English or French is mandatory.

    • Field of Study: Any field is acceptable; no restrictions apply to specific programs.

  • Other University Program Graduates

    • Language Requirement: CLB 7 or NCLC 7 is needed across all four language abilities.

    • Field of Study Requirement: Your program must be in an eligible field related to occupations facing long-term shortages.

  • College and Non-University Program Graduates

    • Language Requirement: You must meet CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all language areas.

    • Field of Study Requirement: You must graduate from an eligible field of study related to occupations in shortage areas.


Language Requirements

When applying for the PGWP, you need to provide proof of your language abilities to meet the requirements. To assess your proficiency in English or French, we utilize the following benchmarks:

  • Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English

  • Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French

Field of Study Requirements

Some study programs have field-of-study requirements linked to occupations facing long-term labor shortages. These are grouped into five main categories:

  1. Agriculture and Agri-food

  2. Healthcare

  3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

  4. Trade

  5. Transport


Type in your program to see if it falls under any of these categories

CIP Code and Title

What Do These Changes Mean for You?

As you prepare to study in Canada, remember that the rules are designed to help align Canada’s job market needs with incoming talent, making it easier for international grads to thrive here.


If you need guidance in choosing the right program or assessing your options before arriving in Canada, reach out to us for specific, tailored support.







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The new eligibility rules for the PGWP application starting in November 2024 sound important, especially for international students planning their future in Canada. Understanding the right field of study and language requirements is crucial. On a related note, for those of us juggling studies and work, managing assignments can be tough. I've been exploring options to buy nursing essays online to keep up with deadlines. Has anyone else faced similar challenges while preparing for post-graduation? Would love to hear how you're handling it!

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