Fall 2025 Scenarios related to PGWP-eligible fields of study list

This scenario could apply to the following NBCC admission statuses:

• Received letter of acceptance and paid confirmation fee;
• Received letter of acceptance and not paid confirmation fee;
• Waitlisted;
• Submitted an application to NBCC and not received a decision.

If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024: Since you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024, and your program is on the PGWP-eligible fields of study list, there are no changes to your eligibility for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). No action is required. 

If you did not submit your study permit application before November 1, 2024: If you did not submit your study permit application before November 1, 2024, but your program is on the CIP-approved/PGWP Eligible list, this means that your program aligns with the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) as published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and identified as being a field of study eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). 

We encourage you to apply for your study permit when you receive your letter of acceptance from NBCC, as processing times can be long. For more support, visit the following resources:

• International Student Visas, permits, and immigration
• Updated International Application Process
• Visit Us

Resource links:

• Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply - Canada.ca

This scenario could apply to the following NBCC admission statuses:

• Received letter of acceptance and paid confirmation fee.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms that there are no specific field of study requirements for PGWP eligibility for study permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024. Eligibility will depend on receiving study permit approval for your application submitted before November 1, 2024. 

You have three options:

Option 1 – No Action:
If your study permit (application submitted before November 1, 2024) is approved, your eligibility for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) remains unaffected, regardless of your field of study.

Option 2 – Refund:
If you decide not to pursue your studies at NBCC, you may request a refund of your $1,500 CAD confirmation deposit and any paid tuition fees. Refund requests are final and cannot be reversed.
NOTE: The option to request a refund is now closed.

• The $100 CAD application fee is non-refundable.
• Note: If you request a refund, we recommend submitting an IRCC Webform to withdraw your study permit application and receive a refund for the processing fees (if processing has not started).

Option 3 – Request a Program Transfer:
Click here to request a transfer to an eligible program with available seats. The deadline to request a program transfer is December 3, 2024.

• Note: It is important to understand that changing programs will result in the cancellation of your current letter of acceptance and provincial attestation letter (PAL) that you included in your existing study permit application. If you decide to continue with a program transfer, you must update your study permit application via an IRCC Webform with your new letter of acceptance (LOA), provincial attestation letter (PAL) and a letter of explanation. 
• Important: Transfer requests will only be reviewed after submissions close. You can expect to hear an update from NBCC by December 11, 2024. Applications will be assessed based on the date/time stamp of your original application to NBCC, with priority given to those who have already paid their confirmation fee. 

Resource links:

• Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply

This scenario could apply to the following NBCC admission statuses:

• Received letter of acceptance and paid confirmation fee;
• Received letter of acceptance and not paid confirmation fee;
• Waitlisted;
• Submitted an application to NBCC and not received a decision.

If you did not submit your study permit application before November 1, 2024, and your program is not on the PGWP-eligible fields of study list, your program will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

You have three options:

Option 1 – No Action:
If you do not plan to apply for a PGWP, you can still apply for a study permit to pursue this program.

Option 2 – Confirmation Fee Refund:
If you decide not to continue with your studies at NBCC, you may request a refund of your $1,500 CAD confirmation fee and any paid tuition fees. Refund requests are final and cannot be reversed.
NOTE: The option to request a refund is now closed.

• The $100 CAD application fee is non-refundable.
• Note: If you request a refund and have submitted a study permit application, we recommend submitting an IRCC Webform to withdraw your study permit application and receive a refund for the processing fees (if processing has not started).

Option 3 – Request a Program Transfer:
Click here to request a transfer to an eligible program with available seats. The deadline to request a program transfer is December 3, 2024.

• Note: It is important to understand that changing programs will result in the cancellation of your current letter of acceptance and provincial attestation letter (PAL) that you included in your existing study permit application. If you decide to continue with a program transfer, you must update your study permit application via an IRCC Webform with your new letter of acceptance (LOA), provincial attestation letter (PAL) and a letter of explanation. 
• Important: Transfer requests will only be reviewed after submissions close. You can expect to hear an update from NBCC by December 11, 2024. Applications will be assessed based on the date/time stamp of your original application to NBCC, with priority given to those who have already paid their confirmation fee. 

Resource links:

• Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply

There are no changes to the duration of the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). You can review PGWP durations here: Work in Canada after you graduate: About the post-graduation work permit - Canada.ca

The deadline to request a refund based on your program not being on the PGWP-eligible fields of study list is December 3, 2024. After this date, we will no longer be able to accommodate such requests and the $1,500 confirmation deposit will become non-refundable. 

The deadline to request a refund based on your program not being on the PGWP-eligible fields of study list is December 3, 2024. After this date, we will no longer be able to accommodate such requests and the $1,500 confirmation deposit will become non-refundable.

Our regular refund policy would apply to you in this case. Refunds are not based on the status of a study permit outcome and must be requested by the student by completing the form in their Student Self-Service. Note, that neither the application fee nor the $1500 confirmation deposit are refundable payments.  For details on the Refund Process, please visit: https://nbcc.ca/tuition-fees/refunds.

Yes, if you request and are approved for a program change your acceptance and confirmation fee payment will be transferred to the new program. Your current admissions offer will be cancelled and a new letter of acceptance will be issued to you. 

No, you will not need to pay an additional application fee if you fall into one of the scenarios that entitles you to request a program change. 

If you already hold a study permit approval, you do not need a new provincial attestation letter. 

If you applied for your study permit before November 1, 2024, then we would strongly recommend that you consider the impact of changing your program of study. It is important to understand that changing programs will result in the cancellation of your current letter of acceptance and provincial attestation letter (PAL) that you included in your existing study permit application. If you decide to continue with a program change, update your study permit application via an IRCC Webform with your new letter of acceptance (LOA), provincial attestation letter (PAL) and a letter of explanation.

If you have not submitted a study permit application and you change your program, you will require a new letter of acceptance and provincial attestation letter (PAL). If your program transfer is successful, your current letter of acceptance will be canceled and replaced with a new letter of acceptance for your new program. Your provincial attestation letter (PAL) will automatically be cancelled when your letter of acceptance is cancelled and a new PAL will be requested for you.

An NBCC representative will reach out to you directly after December 3, 2024 to outline your options at that point. If there is no availability in your requested programs, then alternative options will include being added to a waitlist or requesting a refund. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, effective November 8, 2024, students changing designated learning institutions (DLIs) within Canada must apply for and receive a new study permit before starting their studies. Source: Changing your school or program.

If you received your letter of acceptance to the non-PGWP eligible program either before or after Nov 1 (date that they were accepted to NBCC doesn't matter), but have not applied to extend their study permit before November 1 for that program, then you would not be exempt from the PGWP eligibility rules (ie. their second program of study would not be eligible for a PGWP). You would need to have applied for a study permit extension before November 1, 2024 to be exempt from the field of study requirements for a PGWP application for their second program starting in Fall 2025.