Planning to study in Canada? What Indian students need to know

If you are among the many Indian students planning to study in Canada, there’s important news about the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)—a key pathway for international students to gain Canadian work experience after finishing their studies.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently made an update that could directly affect your future plans. Certain fields of study that had been removed from the PGWP-eligible list in late June have now been reinstated—at least until early 2026.

Why the PGWP is so important

The PGWP allows international students to work in Canada after completing their studies, for up to three years (depending on the length of the program). This work experience can be crucial if you want to:

• Gain Canadian industry exposure
• Apply for permanent residency through programs like Express Entry
• Build professional networks in Canada

Without a PGWP, students must find another legal way to stay and work—or return home immediately after graduation.

What changed in June 2025

In June 2025, Canada introduced a major change:

• For non-degree programs (such as diplomas and certificates), your field of study must match one of the labour shortage occupations in Canada to qualify for a PGWP.
• This meant 119 new fields were added to the list, but 178 were removed.

For a brief period—from June 25 to July 4—many popular diploma fields were no longer eligible, creating uncertainty for students. Now, Canada has reinstated many of the removed fields—but only until early 2026. This is good news for:

• Students who already have a study permit issued between June 25 and July 4, 2025
• Students planning to start in reinstated fields before 2026

However, after early 2026, the tightened rules will likely return, so long-term planners should be careful.

Who is affected?

• Non-degree program students: You must check if your CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs) is on the updated PGWP-eligible list.
• Degree program students (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD): You remain PGWP-eligible regardless of field of study, though you still must meet other criteria such as length of program and studying at a designated learning institution (DLI).

Which programs are currently eligible for the PGWP?

If you want to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, your program’s field of study must be on the eligible list. Here are some of the major fields and example subjects accepted as of 2025:

• Business, management, and public administration: Accounting, marketing, finance, human resources, project management, public administration
• Engineering and engineering technology: Civil, mechanical, electrical, software, environmental, industrial engineering
• Health and related fields: Nursing, medical laboratory technology, dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, physiotherapy assistant, public health
• Information technology and computer science: Computer programming, cybersecurity, data analytics, software development, network administration, artificial intelligence
• Natural and applied sciences: Environmental science, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, geology, renewable energy technology
• Creative arts and design: Graphic design, animation, film and television production, fashion design, interior design, music production
• Social sciences, education, and humanities: Early childhood education, social work, psychology, international relations, languages and literature, history
• Trades and apprenticeship programs: Electrical, plumbing, welding, carpentry, HVAC, automotive service technicians

This is a summary; the full list includes over 200 eligible CIP codes covering many specialized and interdisciplinary programs. Always check with your institution and the official IRCC PGWP eligibility list to confirm your exact program’s eligibility.

Advice for Indian students and families

• Check before you choose – Ask your Canadian college or university for your program’s CIP code and confirm it is PGWP-eligible.
• Plan for the future – If you’re applying for 2026 or later, watch for further IRCC updates to avoid surprises.
• Aim for degrees if possible – Bachelor’s or higher degrees offer the most security for PGWP eligibility.
• Stay informed – Immigration rules in Canada can change quickly; follow updates from the official IRCC website.