Which Canadian colleges no longer offer PGWP eligibility: College twinning and curriculum licensing changes explained

What happened to college twinning programs

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) removed PGWP eligibility for students in public-private partnership college programs as of May 15, 2024. This policy targeted programs where private career colleges deliver curriculum on behalf of public colleges—commonly called college twinning or curriculum licensing arrangements.

The decision came after concerns about "proliferation" of these programs and insufficient oversight by provincial authorities. IRCC cited the Ontario Auditor General's findings regarding inadequate monitoring of program quality and student services at these institutions.

You are ineligible for a PGWP if you began a twinning program after May 15, 2024 within the same province, or after February 1, 2023 if the program crossed provincial lines. This means you cannot obtain a work permit based on completing the program, even if other criteria are met.

Two cutoff dates based on program location

The eligibility rules split into two categories depending on where the private college delivers the curriculum.

Same-province programs: If you began a twinning program at a private college delivering a public college's curriculum within the same province on or before May 15, 2024, you remain eligible for a PGWP upon graduation. If you began on or after May 15, 2024, you are ineligible.

Inter-provincial programs: If you began a program at a private college delivering curriculum from a public college in another province on or before January 31, 2023, you may be eligible. If you began on or after February 1, 2023, you are ineligible.

College bachelor's degrees and field-of-study requirements

In March 2025, IRCC eliminated the field-of-study requirement for college bachelor's degree holders . Previously, college graduates needed to show their program aligned with Canada's labour market shortages; university bachelor's graduates had no such restriction.

Now, college bachelor's degree holders and university bachelor's degree holders face identical PGWP criteria. Non-degree college graduates (diplomas, certificates) continue to face field-of-study restrictions unless they studied agriculture, healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, transportation, early childhood education, or developmental services.

New language requirements for all PGWP applicants

Beginning November 1, 2024, all PGWP applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements . You must achieve Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English or equivalent in French.

This applies to graduates of all program types: college diplomas, college bachelor's degrees, and university degrees. Language tests accepted include IELTS, TOEFL, and TEF. If your study permit was issued before November 1, 2024, you are grandfathered into previous language-exempt rules.

PGWP-eligible fields of study for non-degree programs

In July 2025, IRCC released an updated list of 920 eligible fields of study for non-degree college programs .

The eligible fields are tied to Canada's Express Entry labour market priorities. IRCC originally planned to remove 178 programs in June 2025 but postponed these removals in July 2025 , allowing students who applied for study permits before June 25, 2025 to retain eligibility based on the rules in effect when they applied.

2026 PGWP field-of-study freeze

In January 2026, IRCC announced that no fields of study will be added to or removed from the PGWP-eligible list during 2026 . This freeze provides certainty for students planning enrollment this year, after months of uncertainty about further program removals.

Full PGWP eligibility requirements summary

To qualify for a PGWP, you must meet all of the following: Browse all universities in Canada.

• Graduate from a program of at least 8 months in length (or 900 hours in Quebec)
• Attend a designated learning institution with PGWP eligibility
• Maintain full-time student status throughout your studies
• Complete your program and apply for the PGWP within a specific timeframe
• Achieve CLB 7 English proficiency if you applied for your study permit after November 1, 2024
• Graduate from an eligible field of study if your program is non-degree and you applied for your study permit after November 1, 2024

You can search the official IRCC list of PGWP-eligible schools and programs online . Enter your institution name or program code to verify your program's eligibility before applying.

What to do if your program became ineligible

If you began a twinning program after May 15, 2024 (same province) or February 1, 2023 (other provinces) and have graduated, you are ineligible for a PGWP based on your studies. IRCC acknowledges alternative work permits exist, including employer-sponsored permits requiring a labour market impact assessment , though these require your employer to demonstrate Canadians cannot fill the role.

Some graduates pursue employer-sponsored work permits in occupations with documented Canadian labour shortages. Others transition to university graduate programs to extend their stay and potentially access PGWP eligibility through a master's degree. Related: Canada 24-hour work limit and SOWP ban alternatives.

Sources

• Canada amends post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility for public-private partnership college programs - Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA)
• Canada removes PGWP field of study requirements for graduates of college bachelor's programs - CIC News
• Canada updated rules for PGWP-eligible college programmes and student transfers - ICEF Monitor
• Canada postpones removal of study programs from PGWP eligibility - CIC News
• Canada list of non-degree college programmes linked to post-study work rights has changed - ICEF Monitor
• IRCC freezes list of PGWP-eligible fields of study for 2026 - CIC News
• Post-graduation work permit field of study requirement - Canada.ca
• 2025 in review: Canada's biggest changes for international students and PGWP eligibility - CIC News

Same-Province vs Inter-Provincial Arrangements

IRCC treats same-province and inter-provincial curriculum licensing programs differently. For same-province programs, students enrolled on or before May 15, 2024 remain PGWP-eligible; new students after that date are not. For inter-provincial programs (where the private college is in a different province from the public college), the cutoff is stricter: only students enrolled on or before January 31, 2023 are eligible.

Ontario-Specific Examples

Ontario has multiple public-private partnerships affected by this change. Examples include St. Lawrence College partnered with Alpha College of Business and Technology, and Lambton College partnered with Queen's College in Mississauga. New students enrolling in these programs after May 15, 2024 are ineligible for a PGWP. A full list of affected programs is available on IRCC's provincial DLI lists.

What to Do If Your Program Is No Longer Eligible

If you enrolled in a curriculum licensing program after May 15, 2024, check whether your institution offers PGWP-eligible programs you can transfer to. Explore other work permit pathways such as the International Mobility Program (IMP). Consult a licensed immigration lawyer to review your specific enrollment date and circumstances — your official enrollment date documentation is critical for any grandfathering claim.