Islamabad, July 10, 2025: Canada extends PGWP eligibility for international students, offering temporary relief to those impacted by recent changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. The government has pushed the enforcement of the new rules to early 2026.
This extension benefits students enrolled in diploma and certificate programs, many of which were set to lose PGWP access starting June 25, 2025. Now, those who applied between June 25 and July 4, 2025, will still qualify for the permit.
The number of PGWP-eligible programs has increased from 920 to 1,107. This expansion offers more post-study work options to international graduates. The PGWP allows students who complete eligible programs at Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to work in Canada for up to three years — a pathway many use to gain permanent residency via Express Entry.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had initially caused concern with a June 25 update to the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. The update removed 178 programs, including all transport-related fields, while adding 119, mostly in education.
Criticism followed as students and colleges felt the policy shift was too abrupt. The government’s latest move provides breathing room for institutions and students to adjust.
Importantly, international students who submitted their study permit applications before June 25, 2025, will still be assessed under the old criteria. This means they remain eligible for PGWP, provided their program was accepted at the time of application.
The grace period extension does not impact university or college-level bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree programs. These remain unaffected by the recent program-specific changes.
Read More: Canada Raises the Price of Immigration
To qualify for a PGWP, students must complete at least an eight-month program at a DLI, stay enrolled full-time (except in the final term), and apply within 180 days of receiving a completion letter or transcript.
Read More: UAE Extends Visa-On-Arrival for Indians
By delaying the rule enforcement, Canada signals its intent to support international students while ensuring a smoother transition to the new policy framework.
