Dear Mr Brown,

I heard that one has to study particular programmes in order to get a postgraduation work permit. I am wondering if the computer science is an eligible area?

-MA

Dear MA:

Effective November 1, 2024, all postgraduation work permit applicants from both colleges and universities must pass language tests under the standard Canadian Language Benchmarks that are less than two years old — level 5 for college grads and level 7 for university grads.

The Immigration Department has further revealed the fields of study that international students must be enrolled in to qualify for work permits in Canada upon graduation.

The eligible post-secondary education programmes are coded according to the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) for accurate tracking and reporting of fields of study.

The 966 eligible academic programmes fall into four categories, namely:

1. Agriculture and agri-food;

2. Health care;

3. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and

4. Trade and transportation.

It is important to note that these changes will impact those incoming students graduating from colleges. However, university graduates are not bound by that rule as long as they graduate from a degree programme at the bachelor’s, master’s degree or doctoral levels.

The list of programmes targets the long-term labour market needs of Canada. The goal is to ensure the continued success and prosperity of international students, alongside positive impacts to the Canadian economy.

Previously, international graduates had automatic access to postgraduation work permits that lasts as long as three years regardless of the relevance of their studies to Canada’s labour market needs. That helped make Canada a top destination because the Canadian education and work credentials also offered them a potential pathway for permanent residence.

For computer-related programmes, the following areas eligible:

Computer and information sciences and support services, general, other

Computer programming/programmer, general

Computer programming, specific applications

Computer programming, vendor/product certification

Computer game programming

Computer programming, specific platforms

Computer programming, other

Computer systems analysis/analyst

Computer science

Computer graphics

Computer software and media applications, other

Computer systems networking and telecommunications, general

Computer and information systems security/auditing/information assurance

Computer/information technology administration and management, other

Computer and information sciences and support services, other

Computer engineering, general

Computer hardware engineering

Computer software engineering

Computer engineering, other

Electrical and computer engineering

Computer engineering technology/technician, general

Computer/computer systems technology/technician

Computer software technology/technician

Computer engineering technologies/technicians, other

Mathematics and computer science

Accounting and computer science

Human computer interaction

Economics and computer science

Linguistics and computer science

Cyber/computer forensics and counter-terrorism

The information technology (IT) industry is very marketable. I would encourage you to pursue your studies. I can assist you with the process.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian work permits, study permits, visas, international student loan, permanent residence and/or, appeals.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is a licensed Canadian employment recruiter, accredited Canadian education agent and immigration counsel of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com