For international students seeking to build a life in Canada, recent weeks have brought significant uncertainty. A sudden change to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program eligibility, followed by an equally abrupt reversal, has left many left many seeking answers.
The following summarises these developments to provide clarity on their implications.
A Sudden Shift in Policy
On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to the list of programs eligible for the PGWP. This permit serves as an important step for many graduates, enabling them to gain Canadian work experience for up to three years after graduation and providing a potential pathway to permanent residency.
The update was presented as a measure to align the program with Canada’s pressing labour market needs. It added 119 new fields of study in high-demand sectors like healthcare, skilled trades and education. However, it also removed 178 programs, a change that created uncertainty for many international students enrolled in or considering those fields.
A Welcome Reversal
Following strong public reaction, the IRCC reversed the decision just ten days later, on July 4, 2025. The government announced the reinstatement of all 178 fields of study that had been removed.
As a result of the policy reversal, these programs are once again eligible for the PGWP. The change applies retroactively, providing a safety net for students who applied for study permits between June 25 and July 4. The reinstated programs are expected to remain eligible until at least early 2026, when the list will be reviewed again.
What This Means for You
This rapid series of events underscores the pace at which policies affecting international students in Canada can change. The potential impacts are as follows: Applicants who submitted permit applications before June 25, 2025 remain subject to the rules in place at the time and are unaffected by the changes.
Applicants who submitted between June 25 and July 4, 2025 retain PGWP eligibility due to the retroactive reversal.
Prospective students currently have access to a broader range of PGWP-eligible programs, with the reinstated options available until at least early 2026. These field-of-study requirements primarily apply to non-degree programs at the college level. Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs at universities are generally exempt from these specific limitations.
Although the reversal is a positive development, it highlights the need for continuous monitoring of policy changes. The Canadian government appears focused on aligning immigration policy with economic priorities, and further adjustments to the PGWP are possible. Before committing to a program of study, applicants should consult the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date list of eligible programs and requirements.
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