Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) program eligibility
As an international student, you may be eligible to work in Canada under the post-graduate work permit program (PGWP) after you graduate. Only some NSCC programs are eligible.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has new eligibility requirements for field of study that affect all students who apply for a study permit after November 1, 2024.
- Eligibility also depends on further criteria outlined by IRCC. Learn more about working in Canada after graduation.
Eligible PGWP programs
The following programs meet the IRCC field of study requirement for PGWP.
Note: Some programs in this list have delivery options (such as blended flex, online, part-time, program duration) that do not qualify for PGWP. Learn more about PGWP eligibility.
This list is subject to change:
- Aircraft Maintenance Technician - Structures
- Aircraft Maintenance Technology - Mechanical
- Behavioural Interventions
- Brick and Stone Masonry
- Building Systems Technician (HVAC&R)
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Business Analysis
- Carpentry Certificate
- Carpentry Diploma
- Cyber Security
- Electrical - Industrial Maintenance and Controls
- Full Stack Application Development
- Gas Technician
- Graphic Design
- Heavy Duty Equipment / Truck and Transport Repair
- Heavy Duty Equipment Repair
- Horticulture and Landscape Technology
- Industrial Mechanical
- IT Data Analytics
- IT Database Administration
- IT Generalist
- IT Programming
- IT Programming for Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- IT Programming for Internet of Things (IoT)
- IT Systems Management and Security
- IT Web Programming
- Marine Navigation Technology
- Natural Resources Environmental Technology
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Plumbing
- Practical Nursing
- Power and Utility Line Work
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - Geothermal
- Sheet Metal Systems
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Truck and Transport Repair
- Welding
Non-eligible PGWP programs
The following programs do not meet the IRCC field of study requirement for PGWP for students who apply for a study permit after November 1, 2024. This list is subject to change:
- Academic and Career Connections
- Achieve
- Administrative Professional
- Addictions Community Outreach
- Adult Learning Program - Academic Upgrading
- Adult Learning Program - Africentric Learning Option
- Adult Learning Program - English as an Additional Language
- Adult Learning Program (ALP)
- Aircraft Maintenance Technology - Avionics
- American Sign Language (ASL) Studies
- American Sign Language/English Interpretation
- Applied Media and Communication Arts
- Architectural Engineering Technician
- Auto Body and Collision Repair
- Automotive Service and Repair
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Bartending and Mixology
- Brewing and Beverage Production
- Business Administration
- Business Administration - Accounting
- Business Administration - Financial Services
- Business Administration - Second Year
- Bridge Watch Rating
- Cabinetmaking and Woodworking Techniques
- CAD Technician - Mechanical
- Child and Youth Care
- Civil Engineering Technology
- Climate Change - Building Performance Technology
- CNC Machining
- Community Recreation
- Construction Project Management
- Continuing Care
- Cosmetology
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Management
- Culinary Skills
- Dental Assisting - Level II
- Diesel Repair - Industrial and Marine
- Digital Animation
- Digital Animation - 2D
- Digital Animation - 3D
- Digital Marketing
- Disability Support Professional
- Drafting - Architectural
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education - Africentric Offering
- Electrical Construction and Industrial
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Electrical Technician
- Electro Mechanical Technician
- Electronic Engineering Technology
- Electronic Systems Technician
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
- Environmental Engineering Technology - Water Resources
- Esthetics and Spa Therapies
- Finance
- Food Service and Nutrition Management
- Forest Geomatics and Biometrics Technology
- Funeral and Allied Health Services
- Funeral Arranging and Directing
- Game and Interactive Art
- Game Programming
- Geospatial Data Analytics
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Cartography and Geovisualization
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Remote Sensing
- Geographic Information Systems Technician
- Geomatics Engineering Technology
- Graphic and Print Production
- Health Information Management (HIM)
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Engineering Management Technology
- Instrumentation Technician
- International Business
- Law and Security
- Library and Information Technology
- Marine Engineering Management Technology
- Marine Engineering Technology
- Marine Foundations - Marine Emergency Duties
- Marine Foundations - Small Vessel Operator Proficiency
- Marine Geomatics
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medical Office Administration
- Mental Health Recovery and Promotion
- Metal Fabrication
- Motorcycle and Power Products Repair
- Music Arts
- Music Business
- Music Production and Engineering
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Oceans Technology
- Oil Heat Systems Technician
- Paralegal Services
- Pipe Trades
- Power Engineering Technology
- Practical Nursing - Accelerated
- Precision Machining
- Professional Photography
- Public Relations
- Radio Television Journalism
- Radio Television Journalism - Journalism
- Radio Television Journalism - Radio Performance and Studio Production
- Radio Television Journalism - Television Production
- Screen Arts
- Social Services
- Start-up Accelerator
- Survey Technician
- Thinning Saw Safety and Operations
- Tourism Hospitality
- Tourism Management
- Tree Planting Best Practices
- Women Unlimited