International Students In Canada Must Know These 2 New IRCC Updates

Last Updated On 23 December 2025, 10:30 AM EST (Toronto Time)

In December 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released two distinct updates on program delivery instructions to its staff.

These are not cosmetic updates. They directly clarify how long students can legally remain in Canada after completing pathway or prerequisite programs and who qualifies for a PGWP after graduation.

One focuses on study permit validity for prerequisite and pathway programs, while the other introduces clarifications and harmonization rules for PGWP eligibility.

Together, these changes reshape timelines, compliance expectations, and post-graduation planning for thousands of international students, especially those enrolled in ESL, FSL, pathway, diploma, and college-level programs.

This guide breaks down both updates in clear terms, explains who is affected, and outlines what students must do to avoid status gaps or lost work opportunities.

Understanding Program Delivery Instructions And Why They Matter

Before diving into the updates, it is important to understand what IRCC program delivery instructions are and why they carry real-world consequences.

Program delivery instructions are internal operational guidelines used by IRCC officers to assess applications.

While they are not laws themselves, they interpret regulations and determine how officers apply those regulations in daily decision-making.

When IRCC updates program delivery instructions, it often reflects:

New regulations already in force
Policy wording clarifications following legal or compliance reviews
Alignment issues discovered during audits or case processing
Changes meant to standardize officer decisions across regions

For students, this means that even if the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations did not change recently, how those rules are applied is clarified to IRCC staff in these program delivery updates.

IRCC Update One: Study Permit Validity For Prerequisite And Pathway Programs

On December 22, 2025, IRCC updated its guidance on study permit validity for students enrolled in prerequisite or pathway programs.

Previously, students in these programs typically received study permits that were valid for the duration of the program plus an additional year.

Under the updated instructions, study permits for prerequisite programs are now issued for the duration of the program plus 90 days.

This change aligns with regulatory amendments that came into force in November 2024 but were only fully reflected in operational guidance in late 2025.

Who Are Considered Prerequisite Or Pathway Students

Prerequisite or pathway programs generally include:

English as a Second Language programs
French as a Second Language programs
Academic upgrading programs
Conditional admission or pathway programs linked to a future degree or diploma
Preparatory programs required before entering a main academic program

These programs are common among international students who need to meet language or academic conditions before starting their primary studies in Canada.

The reduction from one year to 90 days is part of a broader regulatory tightening aimed at:

Reducing long post-study stay periods without active enrollment
Ensuring study permits reflect actual academic intent
Closing loopholes that allowed prolonged status without progression

Under current regulations, study permits are meant to cover:

The time required to complete approved studies
A short transition window to apply for extensions, change status, or depart Canada

IRCC determined that one additional year was no longer consistent with this principle for prerequisite programs.

What This Means For Students

This update has immediate planning implications.

Prerequisite Or Pathway Students now have a much shorter buffer period after completing their prerequisite program. 90 days must cover:

Applying for a new study permit for the main program
Receiving a letter of acceptance for the next program
Submitting a study permit extension
Leaving Canada if continuing studies are not approved

Delays in admissions processing, documentation, or application submission could now result in loss of status.

Students transitioning from a prerequisite program to a main program face higher compliance risk if they:

Finish their prerequisite program but delay applying for the main study permit
Assume the old one-year buffer still applies
Do not receive their new letter of acceptance within ninety days
Miscalculate program end dates

Maintained status only applies if a valid application is submitted before the permit expires.

IRCC Update Two: Major Clarifications To PGWP Eligibility Rules

The second update, issued December 11, 2025, focuses on the Post-Graduation Work Permit under the International Mobility Program.

While the regulatory changes themselves took effect earlier, IRCC’s updated instructions consolidate, clarify, and harmonize PGWP eligibility rules.

These clarifications address confusion that had affected thousands of applications.

Equal Treatment For College And University Graduates

One of the most significant changes is the harmonization of requirements for graduates of non-university degree-granting programs.

As of March 11, 2025:

Language requirements for PGWP eligibility are the same for college and university graduates
Field-of-study requirements are applied consistently across both groups

Previously, there was ambiguity around whether college diploma graduates were assessed differently from university graduates.

IRCC has now removed that distinction in practice.

Language And Field-Of-Study Rules Explained

Language and field-of-study requirements were introduced on November 1, 2024, but many applicants struggled to understand how they applied.

The updated instructions confirm:

Applicants must meet language requirements appropriate to their credential level
Programs must align with eligible fields of study where required
Officers must apply the same assessment framework regardless of institution type

This standardization reduces discretionary inconsistencies across visa offices.

Important Exemption For Pre-November 2024 Applicants

A crucial clarification benefits many current graduates.

Students who applied for their initial study permit before November 1, 2024 are exempt from the field-of-study requirement.

This exemption applies even if:

The student applied for a study permit extension after November 1, 2024
The original program was not in an eligible field

This protects students who made study decisions before the policy shift.

Study Authorization During The 180 Day Window

Another key clarification addresses the requirement to hold valid study authorization after completing studies.

To be eligible for a PGWP:

The applicant must have held study authorization at some point during the one hundred eighty days following program completion

This includes students who:

Applied for a study permit extension before expiry
Were authorized to study under maintained status
Completed their program while awaiting a decision

This clarification resolves past refusals where officers interpreted authorization too narrowly.

What Maintained Status Means In Practice

Maintained status allows students to continue studying under the conditions of their expired permit if:

They applied for an extension before the permit expired
They remained in Canada
They did not violate permit conditions

IRCC now explicitly confirms that maintained status counts toward PGWP eligibility if the student completed studies during that period.

Clarified Definition Of Final Academic Session

IRCC has also clarified what constitutes a final academic session for PGWP purposes.

The final academic session:

Is the last period in which the student was actively completing program requirements
May include reduced course loads if permitted by institutional rules
Must align with full-time status requirements throughout the rest of the program

This clarification helps students who had lighter course loads near graduation but remained compliant.

General Language Requirements For PGWP Applicants

For Post-Graduation Work Permit applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, applicants must meet Canada’s minimum language proficiency standards unless they qualify for an exemption.

These requirements form part of IRCC’s standard PGWP eligibility assessment.

Minimum Language Levels By Program Type

CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French is required for:

Graduates of degree-granting programs (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution
Graduates from university programs that do not result in a degree

CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French is required for:

Graduates from college programs
Graduates from non-university programs that do not result in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree

Who Is Most Affected By The PGWP Clarifications

The updates are especially important for:

College diploma graduates
Students in applied or career-focused programs
Students who completed studies while on maintained status
Graduates whose study permits were applied for before November 2024

Students planning to graduate in 2026 should review their PGWP eligibility carefully.

Strategic Takeaways For International Students

Together, the two IRCC updates signal a stricter but clearer compliance environment.

Students must now:

Plan transitions between programs with tighter timelines
Maintain precise records of study authorization
Understand when exemptions apply
Avoid assumptions based on outdated guidance

Institutions, consultants, and students who rely on old buffer periods or informal interpretations face higher risk.

The December 2025 IRCC updates on study permits and PGWP eligibility are not optional reading for international students.

They directly affect how long students can remain in Canada, when they must apply for extensions, and whether they qualify to work after graduation.

The reduction of study permit validity for prerequisite programs demands faster action and better planning.

Meanwhile, PGWP clarifications bring relief and certainty, especially for students affected by maintained status and pre-November 2024 applications.

In Canada’s increasingly compliance-driven immigration environment, clarity is valuable, but only if students act on it in time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On PGWP Eligibility

Can I apply for a PGWP if my study permit expired after I completed my program?

Yes, you may still be eligible for a PGWP if you held valid study authorization at any point during the 180 days after completing your program.
This includes situations where:
You applied to extend your study permit before it expired
You were legally allowed to study under maintained status
You completed your studies while waiting for a decision
IRCC officers now explicitly recognize maintained status as valid study authorization for PGWP eligibility, as clarified in updated guidance issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Does my program of study affect my PGWP eligibility?

Yes, your program type and credential level directly affect PGWP eligibility.
In general:
Your program must be completed at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution
Your program length determines the maximum PGWP duration
For applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, certain programs must also meet field-of-study requirements, unless you are exempt
Students who applied for their initial study permit before November 1, 2024 are exempt from the field-of-study requirement, even if they applied for a study permit extension later.

Do part-time studies affect PGWP eligibility?

In most cases, yes, part-time studies can affect eligibility.
To remain eligible for a PGWP, students must generally:
Maintain full-time status throughout their program
Only study part-time during their final academic session, if permitted by their institution
IRCC now clearly defines the final academic session as the last period required to complete program requirements. Reduced course loads are acceptable only if they align with institutional rules and do not indicate a break in studies.

Is the PGWP language requirement mandatory for all graduates?

No, the language requirement is not mandatory for all graduates.
Language testing is required for:
Most PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024
However, applicants are exempt if:
They applied for a PGWP before November 1, 2024
They graduated from a flight school
They are applying for a PGWP extension due to passport expiry
They are requesting a change in PGWP conditions, such as removing medical restrictions
Applicants who are subject to language requirements must meet the applicable CLB or NCLC level in all 4 language skills.

Can I work while waiting for a decision on my PGWP application?

Yes, in many cases you can work while waiting for a PGWP decision, but strict conditions apply.
You may work full-time while waiting if:
You completed an eligible program
You applied for your PGWP within 180 days of program completion
You had a valid study permit at the time of application
You met all work authorization conditions at the time you applied
If any of these conditions are not met, working without authorization could negatively impact your immigration record and future applications.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website