Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a system used to organize and classify different educational programs, giving each one of them a specific numeric code. It helps to group programs into categories based on what students learn or study, according to the field of study. Understanding CIP codes helps international students to explore their options and make informed decisions about their academic journey in Canada. 

Students may be eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from an eligible field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage, which is determined by currently eligible CIP codes. 

On June 25, 2025, IRCC released an updated list of CIP codes for fields of study that educational programs must align with to be PGWP-eligible. You may review this recent announcement on IRCC’s official website.

CIP codes have been added to the International program availability webpage. Current students can also find the CIP codes on their Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and Confirmation of Graduation (COG) letters, which can be generated on the MyNC portal. For instructions on How to Generate a Letter, click here.  

As per the initial September 18 announcement, international students who submit a study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, must graduate from a program in an eligible field of study defined by IRCC to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Be sure to review the Niagara College list PGWP aligned program list here regarding which programs of study will continue to qualify international students for a PGWP upon graduation.  IRCC may update the field of study requirements at any time to align with labour market needs and we will update our list accordingly.

We encourage students to consult the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for assistance in reviewing your unique situation.  Your International Student Advisor can provide advice on your individual academic situation related to your immigration needs.

Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, will still be eligible for a PGWP if their field of study was on the list when they applied for their study permit even if it has since been removed and even if the student should need to extend their current permit to complete that same program.

Most study permit applicants need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL) when applying for their study permit. We encourage students to consult the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for assistance in reviewing your situation. 

A PAL is valid until the date indicated on the letter. We encourage you to submit your study permit to IRCC as soon as possible upon PAL issuance to allow for sufficient time to receive a decision on your study permit so you can start studying with us.

For more information about our admissions process, please visit the How to Apply webpage.  

Please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Government of Canada websites for information regarding entry to Canada. Non-discretionary travellers to Canada are expected to be aware and prepared to enter Canada fully apprised of the Government of Canada’s current or newly announced requirements, and understand how they may relate to them. Information provided on this webpage is accurate as of June 27,  2025 at 4pm ET, and is subject to change at any time. Niagara College accepts no liability for any discrepancies.