Planning your education as an international student involves many important decisions. If you are interested in working in Canada after completing your studies, you will want to consider a program that is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
A PGWP is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and may allow you to work in Canada after completing your studies. IRCC determines PGWP eligibility.
IRCC has published new PGWP eligibility requirements for students who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
The following is a list of the PGWP-eligible programs available at Durham College:
Program search:
| OCAS | Program | CIP Code | Credential | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADMH | Addictions and Mental HealthADMH | 51.1501 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September, January |
| ADMM | Advertising – Digital Media ManagementADMM | 52.1404 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September |
| AIDI | Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and ImplementationAIDI | 11.0102 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September, January |
| ATBS | Autism and Behavioral ScienceATBS | 42.2814 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September, January |
| BTYF | Biotechnology - Advanced (Compressed fast track)BTYF | 41.0101 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September |
| BITY | Biotechnology - AdvancedBITY | 41.0101 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September |
| SCTU | Business - Supply Chain and Operations - UOIT TransferSCTU | 52.0203 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| SCOP | Business - Supply Chain and OperationsSCOP | 52.0203 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| BSOM | Business Administration – Supply Chain and Operations ManagementBSOM | 52.0203 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September, January |
| BDCT | Carpentry - Building Construction TechnicianBDCT | 46.0415 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| RENO | Carpentry and Renovation TechnicianRENO | 46.0201 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| CLCP | Cloud ComputingCLCP | 11.0902 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September, May |
| CDA | Communicative Disorders Assistant CDA | 51.0201 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September |
| CFND | Computer FoundationsCFND | 11.0101 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January |
| CPGA | Computer Programming and AnalysisCPGA | 11.0201 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September, January, May |
| CPPG | Computer ProgrammingCPPG | 11.0201 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January, May |
| CSTU | Computer Systems Technician - UOIT TransferCSTU | 11.1001 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| CSTC | Computer Systems TechnicianCSTC | 11.1001 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January, May |
| CSTY | Computer Systems TechnologyCSTY | 15.1202 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September, January, May |
| CYSC | CybersecurityCYSC | 11.1003 | Ontario College graduate certificate | September, January |
| DSWK | Developmental Services WorkerDSWK | 19.0710 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| ECE | Early Childhood EducationECE | 19.0711 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| ELEC | Electrical TechniquesELEC | 46.0302 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January |
| EHSM | Environment Health and Safety ManagementEHSM | 51.2202 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September |
| MFUN | Film and Motion Design – Media FundamentalsMFUN | 09.0702 | Ontario College Certificate | September |
| FIT | Fitness and Health PromotionFIT | 31.0501 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January, May |
| GFIT | Gas Technician 2GFIT | 47.0201 | Ontario College Certificate | September |
| GDES | Graphic DesignGDES | 50.0409 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September |
| HVAC | Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning TechniquesHVAC | 47.0201 | Ontario College Certificate | September |
| HBAI | Honours Bachelor of Artificial IntelligenceHBAI | 11.0102 | Bachelor's Degree (Honours) | September |
| AAGR | Horticulture - Food and FarmingAAGR | 01.0308 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| HORT | Horticulture TechnicianHORT | 01.0601 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| IMWD | InteMed Des - Web DevelopmentIMWD | 11.0801 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| IMDE | Interactive Media DesignIMDE | 09.0702 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| MAST | Massage TherapyMAST | 51.3501 | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | September |
| MTED | Mechanical Technician - Elevating DevicesMTED | 46.9999 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| MTMW | Mechanical Technician - MillwrightMTMW | 47.0303 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| MPLU | Mechanical Techniques - PlumbingMPLU | 46.0503 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January |
| OTPA | Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist AssistantOTPA | 51.0817 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| PSWK | Personal Support WorkerPSWK | 51.2602 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January, May |
| PNII | Practical NursingPNII | 51.3901 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January, May |
| PHSC | Pre-Health Science - CollegePHSC | 51.1199 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January |
| PHSU | Pre-Health Science - UniversityPHSU | 51.1199 | Ontario College Certificate | September, January |
| RETH | Recreation TherapyRETH | 51.2309 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
| SSWK | Social Service WorkerSSWK | 44.0000 | Ontario College Diploma | September, January |
| SCMG | Supply Chain Management - GlobalSCMG | 52.0203 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | September, January |
| SCMX | Supply Chain Mgmt - Can ContxtSCMX | 52.0203 | Ontario College Graduate Certificate | May |
| WETN | Welding Engineering TechnicianWETN | 48.0508 | Ontario College Diploma | September |
This list will be updated with additional programs and guidance, so please check back often.
Please note that Canadian immigration laws and additional reforms to the International Student Program are subject to change. Please review the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date information.
On September 18, 2024, the IRCC announced:
- The number of study permit applications will be reduced by 10%.
- Students graduating from public college programs can get a PGWP for up to three years if their program is related to jobs that are in long-term demand.
- New language requirements.
- As of January 22, 2024, most students must include a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study with their study permit application.
Learn more about the changes and requirements on the Ministry website.
Starting November 8, 2024, students who wish to change their post-secondary school must get a new study permit by applying to extend their current study permit.
If you have been accepted to a new Designated Learning Institution (DLI) for the Winter or Spring 2025 semester, you can begin studying at your new DLI if you:
- Have been accepted to a DLI for the Winter/Spring 2025 semester, and
- Have applied for a study permit extension, and
- Have a valid study permit that does not list the DLI name, and
- Meet all existing study permit conditions.
If you meet ALL of these criteria, you can attend the new DLI while your study permit extension is being processed.
The programs that are eligible for a PGWP fall into five categories: agriculture and food, healthcare, science and technology, engineering, and trade and transportation. IRCC has identified these fields of study as aligning with job needs in Canada.
If you apply for a study permit after November 1, 2024, you must meet the new requirements for a PGWP.
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is used to classify post-secondary education programs according to field of study in Canada. To be eligible for a PGWP, you need to study in a PGWP eligible field of study, and this means your program needs to match the CIP code listed in the table on the IRCC webpage. When using the “Filter items”, enter the CIP code of your DC program to confirm alignment with IRCC’s PGWP eligible fields of study.