Major overhaul in Canadian education policy for foreign students

Canada is tightening its approach to international student migration by the rules for post-graduation work permits.

On June 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a revised list of academic programs that qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), signaling a shift toward workforce-driven education policy.

A total of 119 new programs have been added, while 178 have been removed.

The changes are designed to align more closely with Canada’s labor market needs and will apply only to international students who apply for study permits on or after Nov 1, 2024.

Students who submitted their applications before June 25, 2025, will remain eligible under the old criteria.

The updated list now includes 920 eligible programs, many of which are concentrated in fields facing ongoing labor shortages.

Among the newly added areas are veterinary medicine, dentistry, and allied dental sciences; teacher education in subjects like biology, chemistry, French, drama, and computer science; architecture and landscape design; and skilled trades such as cabinetmaking, millwork, CNC machinist training, and construction project management.

According to the department, “the occupations they are linked to are no longer experiencing labor shortages,” referring to the programs that have been removed.

Notably, these include environmental studies, marine resources management, renewable energy trades such as solar panel installation, drywall and construction trades, and most transport-related and agriculture programs.

The overhaul suggests a deliberate move away from sectors currently seen as oversupplied or lower priority. Only one program under the agri-food category remains eligible.

Despite the major reshuffle, the core eligibility criteria for PGWP remain unchanged. Non-university credential holders must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or NCLC Level 5, while university-level graduates must reach CLB/NCLC Level 7.

Flight school graduates continue to be exempt from field-specific eligibility, maintaining their unique status within the policy.

The changes are seen as part of a broader policy alignment. Earlier this year, Canada’s Express Entry system introduced category-based invitations favoring healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades, the same sectors now emphasized in the PGWP update.

This signals a coordinated approach treating international students not just as temporary residents, but as future members of the national workforce.

For postsecondary institutions, particularly those offering specialized or non-degree programs, the implications could be significant.

Programs excluded from PGWP eligibility may see a drop in international enrollment, as students increasingly prioritize fields with clear pathways to work and immigration.

Globally, the move may also shift international students’ decisions. For many, the ability to work after graduation is a key factor when choosing between study destinations like Canada, the UK, Australia, or the US. The revised list may prompt more career-focused decision-making among applicants.

What this change reflects is a strategic recalibration of Canada’s international education system.

Rather than scaling back, the country is sharpening its focus, directing student inflows toward areas of economic need.

The PGWP, once a symbol of post-study flexibility, is now being repositioned as a selective tool to build a future-ready workforce.