Post-graduation work permit

General eligibility: completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible DLI that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs); maintained full-time student status in Canada during each semester (part-time allowed in the final semester); applies within 180 days of confirmation of program completion; and the study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after completing the program. Graduating from a DLI does not automatically make a person eligible; not all programs at a DLI are PGWP-eligible. Special cases: accelerated programs (PGWP may cover normal program length); transfers between DLIs (total studies at least 8 months); transfers from a non-DLI (only DLI time counts, at least 8 months at the DLI); overseas components (credit from the Canadian school; PGWP covers only time studied in Canada); authorized leave of up to 150 days with DLI proof; an unauthorized leave that breached permit conditions may make the applicant ineligible.

A person is not eligible for a PGWP if they: already received a PGWP; studied English or French as a second language; took general interest or self-improvement courses; completed a non-credit program (except a flight school program); received funding or a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada that requires return to their home country; completed over 50% of the program through distance learning (online, e-learning or correspondence), subject to COVID-era exceptions; completed a program at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada; or completed a program at a DLI that is not PGWP-eligible, including programs delivered by a private college on behalf of a public college under a curriculum licensing agreement (exceptions: same-province arrangements where the program began on or before May 15, 2024; inter-provincial arrangements where the program began on or before January 31, 2023). Distance learning: for a lock-in date on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program must be completed in class within Canada and time studying outside Canada is deducted from PGWP length; time spent studying online from outside Canada after August 31, 2024, and time studying before IRCC receives the study permit application, do not count toward PGWP length.

For PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, the applicant must prove English or French ability: graduates of a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, or of any other university program, need at least CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all 4 language areas; graduates of any other college, polytechnic or non-university program need at least CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 areas. Graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school and applicants who submitted their PGWP application before November 1, 2024 are exempt. Approved tests listed by IRCC: CELPIP (General), IELTS (General Training), PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada.

Graduates of non-degree university programs and of college, polytechnic or other non-university programs who submitted their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024 must graduate in an eligible field of study. Not required if: the PGWP application was submitted before November 1, 2024; the applicant graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school; the applicant graduated with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree; or the study permit application was submitted before November 1, 2024. The program's 6-digit CIP code (CIP Canada 2021) must be on IRCC's list of eligible CIP codes when either the study permit application or the PGWP application is submitted. Eligible fields are linked to occupations in long-term shortage; for 2026 IRCC will not add or remove any eligible fields of study.

PGWP length depends on the level and duration of the program and the passport expiry date, whichever comes first. Master's degree programs (as of February 15, 2024): a 3-year PGWP is possible even if the program was under 2 years, if it was at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec) and all other requirements are met (not certificate or diploma programs). Other programs: at least 8 months but under 2 years - up to the length of the program; 2 years or more - 3 years. More than one completed program may be combined if each is PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec), meeting the highest requirement among them. A person who already had a PGWP after an earlier program cannot get another. If the passport expires first, the PGWP is issued only to passport expiry and can be extended on paper after obtaining a new passport (no new language proof required for that extension).

The applicant has up to 180 days after graduating to apply for a PGWP, from within Canada or from another country, if eligible. If the applicant does not change status to visitor and the study permit expires, they have up to 90 days after the permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore status as a student: apply online for the PGWP, pay the PGWP fee ($255) and the restoration fee (paid online, receipt attached to the PGWP application; no separate restoration application). They cannot work until the work permit is approved. If 90 days have passed, they must leave Canada. The study permit must be valid at the time of submitting the PGWP application to be eligible to work while awaiting the decision. In most cases the PGWP application must be made online.

The applicant must apply within 180 days of confirmation of program completion; the study permit must have been valid at some point during those 180 days; the program must have been at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution and at least 8 months long (900 hours in Quebec for certain programs); full-time status must have been maintained each academic session (part-time allowed in the final session). Not eligible if the applicant already received a PGWP. Programs delivered through public-private curriculum licensing arrangements are generally ineligible (exceptions depend on start dates: May 15, 2024 within a province; January 31, 2023 between provinces). PGWP applicants cannot apply at a port of entry.

Graduates of a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree program, and graduates of any other university program, must show a minimum of CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all four abilities; graduates of college, polytechnic or other non-university programs must show CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities, using an approved test. Graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school have no language requirement. Applicants who submitted their PGWP application before November 1, 2024 do not need to meet the language requirement.

Graduates of programs other than a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree (other university programs, and college, polytechnic or other non-university programs) whose study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024 must have graduated in an eligible field of study: the program's 6-digit CIP code must be on IRCC's list of currently eligible CIP codes when the study permit application or the PGWP application was submitted. Exempt: bachelor's, master's or doctoral graduates; PGWP-eligible flight school graduates; those who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024; those who submitted the PGWP application before November 1, 2024. IRCC states it will not add or remove eligible fields of study for 2026.