Updated: August 6, 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made important updates on June 25 and July 4, 2025, about the eligible fields of study for international students in non-degree programs applying for a PGWP. These changes align international student pathways with Canada’s Express Entry priorities and labour market needs.

What’s New?

• On June 25, IRCC removed 178 fields of study and added 119 new ones in areas like health care, social services, education, and skilled trades.
• On July 4, IRCC reinstated several fields of study removed on June 25. These reinstated programs will remain eligible until early 2026, when the list is expected to be updated again.

These updates support immigration pathways in fields facing long-term labour shortages.

RRC Polytech is reviewing these changes and collaborating with federal and provincial partners to understand the impact on students. We are updating our list of PGWP-eligible programs and will publish it once finalized.

For updates or to speak with an advisor, contact: iesupport@rrc.ca

FAQs

I am an international student currently studying at RRC Polytech.

How does this impact me?
If you applied for your study permit before IRCC’s next list update in early 2026, you will not be impacted by these changes. You will remain eligible for a PGWP under the list that was in place at the time you applied.

If you are changing programs or have changed programs and need a new study permit or to extend your current one, this might affect you. Please email iesupport@rrc.ca for guidance.

I am a student in the Intensive English program and have questions about how this affects me.
RRC Polytech’s Immigration Advisor is available to meet with Intensive English students individually to discuss their situation and options. If you have questions about your study permit or future program plans, please contact us at iesupport@rrc.ca.

I am a prospective international student, or I have applied for admission to RRC Polytech.

What does this mean for me?
Your PGWP eligibility depends on when you applied (or apply) for your study permit, not your admission:

• If you apply for a study permit before IRCC’s next list update in early 2026
  You are not affected by the recent changes. Your eligibility is based on the list of fields that were in effect at the time you applied, even if your program is no longer on the updated list.
• If you applied between June 25 and July 4, 2025
  You are still eligible. If your program was temporarily removed on June 25 but reinstated on July 4, it will remain PGWP-eligible. You will meet the field of study requirement when you graduate.
• If you have not yet applied for a study permit
  To be eligible for a PGWP, your program must be either:
  • On the current list of eligible fields, or
  • One of the fields reinstated by IRCC on July 4, 2025 (after being removed on June 25).

You must apply for your study permit before IRCC’s next list update in early 2026 (exact date not yet announced).

If you are unsure whether your program is currently PGWP-eligible, contact us at international@rrc.ca,  we are here to help you understand your options.

I applied to a non-PGWP-eligible program and have not submitted my study permit application. What should I do?

If you have not yet applied for your study permit, you should check whether your program is currently PGWP-eligible. Programs that were removed on June 25 but reinstated on July 4 remain eligible until early 2026.

As long as your program is on the current list or the July 4 reinstated list, and you submit your study permit application before IRCC’s next update in early 2026 (date not yet announced), you will remain eligible for a PGWP.

If you need help confirming your program’s status or want advice on next steps, please contact us at iesupport@rrc.ca. We are here to support you.

Can I withdraw and receive a refund due to these IRCC changes?

At this time, refunds are not offered based on these IRCC updates because students can still enroll in their programs and remain eligible for a PGWP if they apply for their study permit before the next list update in early 2026.

If you have questions or concerns about your program or eligibility, please contact us at international@rrc.ca. We’re here to support you and help explore your options.

We’re here to support you.

These changes are part of a broader shift in how international education connects with Canada’s immigration goals. We remain committed to providing accurate information, timely updates, and personalized support for every student.

For questions or support, please contact:
iesupport@rrc.ca or international@rrc.ca

If a student’s current study permit is associated with a different DLI, and they are scheduled to start their program at RRC Polytech, they must now apply for a new study permit and receive approval before beginning their program at RRC Polytech. Given the current processing time for new study permits (approximately 15 weeks), this may not leave enough time for some students to start their academic program on time.

To avoid delays, it is recommended that students defer their start date to the next intake. A new application must be submitted along with another application fee. However, the tuition deposit will be transferred to the new program/intake.

Once the application is submitted, RRC Polytech will prioritize processing and issue both a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), which will be needed for the new study permit application. Virtual sessions will also be hosted to guide students through the study permit process, with further details provided soon.

Important: The 150-Day Rule

If students have already withdrawn from their previous DLI, they must not be out of school for more than 150 days, as this may affect their study permit status. RRC Polytech appreciates the prompt attention to this matter.

For any questions or further assistance, students are encouraged to contact the admissions team.

RRC Polytech has teams across the College looking into these changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and has completed a review of the federal government’s eligibility list.

We’ve created a preliminary list of RRC Polytech’s programs that are eligible for a post-graduation work permit, which we are sharing with current and prospective students now so you can make informed decisions about pursuing post-secondary training in programs that will allow you to apply for a work permit upon completion.

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Application Development and Delivery
• Business Administration – Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Cabinetry and Woodworking – Certificate
• Civil Engineering Technology – Structural Engineering Technology
• Communication Design
• Construction Management
• Cybersecurity
• Data Science and Machine Learning
• Digital Media Design
• Digital Media Design – Interaction Design and Development
• Digital Media Design – Video and Motion Graphics
• Disability and Community Support
• Early Childhood Education
• Full Stack Web Development
• Game Development – Art
• Game Development – Programming
• Graphic Design
• Health Care Aide and Health Unit Clerk
• Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic
• Information Security
• IT Operations
• Marine and Powersports Technician
• Network Services Technician
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Pharmaceutical and Food Manufacturing
• Science Laboratory Technology
• Science Laboratory Technology – Cell and Microbiology
• Science Laboratory Technology – Chemistry and Quality Analyst
• Science Laboratory Technology – Quality Assurance
• Technology Management
• Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults
• Transportation, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management
• Welding

The list is preliminary. We are hopeful that this list will change through our collaborative efforts with the provincial government to advocate for adding programs that meet Manitoba’s needs. We encourage you to continue to check back as this information will continue to evolve.

Important things to note:

• Current international students are eligible to receive post-graduation work permits if they meet language proficiency requirements, regardless of the program they are enrolled in.
• We are aware of an error on IRCC’s (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website regarding field of study requirements. IRCC is working fast to fix this error, and CICan (Colleges and Institutes Canada) and CBIE (Canadian Bureau of International Education) have both confirmed that IRCC’s position remains unchanged and study permit applications submitted to IRCC before November 1, 2024, do not need to meet the field of study requirement for students to apply for a PGWP.
• International applicants who have not applied for their study permit prior to November 1, 2024, will need to study in a program identified by IRCC as eligible for a post-graduation work permit if they wish to work in Canada following graduation.

We are committed to ensuring that our students have access to programs that support their post-graduation career goals. Stay tuned for further updates as we update the list of eligible programs and reach out to iesupport@rrc.ca if you have questions or require support.

Beginning November 1, 2024, only students who have graduated from an eligible field of study will be eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). RRC Polytech is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to develop a list of programs that will align with the new Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) requirements. These programs will correspond to eligible fields of occupation as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For more information on eligible fields, please refer to the official IRCC guidance.

We are committed to ensuring that our students have access to programs that support their post-graduation career goals. Stay tuned for further updates as we finalize our program list.

For additional information or guidance, please contact international@rrc.ca.