Canada updates work permit rules for international students in 2025! Stay informed on new eligibility, restrictions & benefits. Read the latest changes now!
... Canada work visa. You will learn who is eligible, what the new rules are, and how these changes may help skilled workers, international students
# New rules for post-graduation work permit (PGWP): What you need to know about the field of study requirement. As of November 1, 2024, a new field of study requirement was introduced for some international students to be eligible for a PGWP. The Government of Canada has updated the rules to align eligible study programs with long-term labour market needs. This blog will help you understand which programs are eligible, explore in-demand job prospects, and discover study programs across Canada. * You are studying in a college diploma, certificate, or a non-degree university program. If you are affected by the field of study requirement, you must have graduated from a program that’s on the list of currently eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes when you submit your PGWP application. A CIP code is a 6-digit number used to classify post-secondary education programs according to the field of study. To find your program’s CIP code, you can:.
# Canada student visa requirements in 2025: What’s changed and what hasn’t. Applying to study in Canada in 2025? There have been some big updates to the student visa process, including changes to how much money you need to show, new rules for work permits, and updates on which schools are eligible. Here’s what’s new, what’s stayed the same, and how to avoid common mistakes when applying for your study permit this year. ## What’s changed in 2025? For applications on/after Sept 1, 2025, you now need to show access to at least CA$22,895 in addition to your first-year tuition when applying for a study permit. If you plan to stay and work in Canada after graduation, or pursue international student internships, these changes are worth a close look. However, it’s now even more important to check that your school is not just a DLI, but one that qualifies for PGWP access if post-study work is part of your goal.
These updates apply from January 2025 and affect both LMIA and LMIA-exempt categories. If you plan to apply for a new work permit, extend an
On July 4, 2025 we updated the list of eligible CIP codes to add back fields of study that were removed on June 25, 2025. Those fields of study that were removed on June 25, 2025, will stay eligible until the list is next updated. Eligible fields of study are linked to certain jobs in long-term shortage in Canada and can change based on the needs of the Canadian labour market. To be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), international students in non-degree programs (programs other than bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees) must complete a program in an eligible field of study linked to jobs in long-term shortages, such as those being prioritized under Express Entry. Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, will still be eligible for a PGWP if their field of study was on the list when they applied for their study permit even if it has since been removed.
# 2025 in review: Canada’s biggest changes for international students and PGWP eligibility. In 2025, Canada introduced several changes affecting international students and recent graduates—from new rules for changing schools to updated eligibility requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). These updates matter whether you’re planning to study in Canada, are already here on a study permit, or are aiming to work on a PGWP after graduation. * Restrictions on open work permits for spouses of international students. During the end of 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented rules requiring international students to apply and be approved for a new study permit before changing their designated learning institution (DLI). In January 2025, new rules came into effect building on the above change, requiring international students to also include a new valid Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) before submitting an application for a study permit extension.
As of June 27, 2023, a temporary public policy allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit. On this page. Who is eligible; How long you