Updates to the International Student Program Updated on: December 12, 2024 at 4:05 p.m. 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. On November 8, 2024, IRCC also announced a new process for post-secondary study permit holders who wish to change from one designated learning institution (DLI) to another. They have recently updated the information for students accepted to a new DLI for the Winter or Spring 2025 Semester. If eligibility criteria are met and you are transferring to DC from another institution, you can start studying at DC while your study permit extension is being processed. Based on the information currently available, Durham College has created a list of our programs that should align with the new PGWP guidelines. This list is undergoing review and will be updated with additional programs and guidance, so please check back often. Below is a list of frequently asked questions to help explain the changes. What are the most recent changes from IRCC? 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. Learn more about the changes and requirements on the Ministry website. New process for study permit holders to change their schools (DLI) 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. Which fields of study are eligible for a PGWP? 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. When do the new rules start? If you apply for a study permit after November 1, 2024, you must meet the new requirements for a PGWP. The following is a list, which is still under review, of the PGWP-eligible programs available at Durham College: 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. Program search: OCAS Program CIP Code Credential Start date AAGR Horticulture - Food and FarmingAAGR 01.0308 Ontario College Diploma September 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 BDCT Carpentry - Building Construction TechnicianBDCT 46.0415 Ontario College Diploma September BITY Biotechnology - AdvancedBITY 41.0101 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September BSOM Business Administration – Supply Chain and Operations ManagementBSOM 52.0203 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September, January BTYF Biotechnology - Advanced (Compressed fast track)BTYF 41.0101 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September CBIO Clinical BioinformaticsCBIO 26.1103 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September CDA Communicative Disorders Assistant CDA 51.0201 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September CFND Computer FoundationsCFND 11.0101 Ontario College Certificate September, January CLCP Cloud ComputingCLCP 11.0902 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September, May 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 CSTC Computer Systems TechnicianCSTC 11.1001 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May CSTU Computer Systems Technician - UOIT TransferCSTU 11.1001 Ontario College Diploma September, January CSTY Computer Systems TechnologyCSTY 15.1202 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September, January, May CYSC CybersecurityCYSC 11.1003 Ontario College graduate certificate September, January ECE Early Childhood EducationECE 19.0711 Ontario College Diploma September, January EHSM Environment Health and Safety ManagementEHSM 51.2202 Ontario College Graduate Certificate September ELEC Electrical TechniquesELEC 46.0302 Ontario College Certificate September, January FIT Fitness and Health PromotionFIT 31.0501 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May GDES Graphic DesignGDES 50.0409 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September GFIT Gas Technician 2GFIT 47.0201 Ontario College Certificate September HBAI Honours Bachelor of Artificial IntelligenceHBAI 11.0102 Bachelor's Degree (Honours) September HORT Horticulture TechnicianHORT 01.0601 Ontario College Diploma September HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning TechniquesHVAC 47.0201 Ontario College Certificate September IMDE Interactive Media DesignIMDE 09.0702 Ontario College Diploma September, January IMWD InteMed Des - Web DevelopmentIMWD 11.0801 Ontario College Diploma September MAST Massage TherapyMAST 51.3501 Ontario College Advanced Diploma September MFUN Film and Motion Design – Media FundamentalsMFUN 09.0702 Ontario College Certificate September MPLU Mechanical Techniques - PlumbingMPLU 46.0503 Ontario College Certificate September, January MTED Mechanical Technician - Elevating DevicesMTED 46.9999 Ontario College Diploma September MTMW Mechanical Technician - MillwrightMTMW 47.0303 Ontario College Diploma September OTPA Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist AssistantOTPA 51.0817 Ontario College Diploma September PHSC Pre-Health Science - CollegePHSC 51.1199 Ontario College Certificate September, January PHSU Pre-Health Science - UniversityPHSU 51.1199 Ontario College Certificate September, January PNII Practical NursingPNII 51.3901 Ontario College Diploma September, January, May PSWK Personal Support WorkerPSWK 51.2602 Ontario College Certificate September, January, May RENO Carpentry and Renovation TechnicianRENO 46.0201 Ontario College Diploma September RETH Recreation TherapyRETH 51.2309 Ontario College Diploma September 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 SCOP Business - Supply Chain and OperationsSCOP 52.0203 Ontario College Diploma September, January SCTU Business - Supply Chain and Operations - UOIT TransferSCTU 52.0203 Ontario College Diploma September, January SSWK Social Service WorkerSSWK 44.0000 Ontario College Diploma September, January WETN Welding Engineering TechnicianWETN 48.0508 Ontario College Diploma September