Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada
Did you know that the post-graduate work permit is no longer a guarantee after graduating from a Canadian university? Up until November 2024, the dream of studying in Canada was sold on the back of a guaranteed work permit that international students qualified for upon graduation. However, with recent policy changes, the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is now a strategic move that needs to be carefully planned for even before you apply to your desired programme or university in Canada.
New changes such as demonstrating proof of language proficiency, field of study restrictions, extension of the PGWP duration for Master's graduates, means working after graduating has become a bit more complicated. Therfore, it is important to understand that the choice of the study programme and the university you enrol at plays a crucial role in your ability to gain a work permit that allows you to earn valuable work experience after graduation. Among the benefits of studying in Canada include a strong professional portfolio or resume that highlights valuable work experience, which can help a graduate jump up the career ladder with ease.
In this article, we dive deep into the Post-Graduate Work Permit and everything you need to know about the work opportunities awaiting you after graduation.
What is PGWP Canada?
The post-graduate work permit, or PGWP in Canada, is the official legal document that certifies an international student or foreign national to work after graduation for a maximum period of 3 years. This document, or temporary permit, is a crucial step towards attaining permanent residency in Canada for many foreign nationals.
The Canadian government has defined a set of regulations and guidelines that outline the minimum requirements to qualify for such a permit that allows international students to stay back in the country.
Obtaining the PGWP in Canada allows international students to work for any employer within Canada. For any student on a Canadian student visa, i.e. Student Permit, it is necessary to obtain this permit before their study permit expires.
Duration of PGWP in Canada
The duration of the PGWP in Canada will depend on a number of factors, including the degree level of the graduated candidate, the duration of the study programme the candidate pursued and the remaining validity period of the passport of the PGWP applicant. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the duration of the PGWP in Canada.
Master’s Programme in Canada
- Candidates can apply for a 3-year PGWP, even if their master’s programme was less than 2 years long, provided the following are also satisfied.
- The programme was a minimum of 8 months long, or 900 hours for the Quebec programme
- And you meet all the other eligibility criteria
- Certificate and Diploma courses do not qualify in this regard
Programmes that are longer than 2 years
- Candidates may receive a PGWP that remains valid for a period of 3 years.
8 months to 2-year-long Programmes
- Post-graduate work permit that remains valid for the exact length of the study programme may be offered.
- For instance, a one-year programme may result in a one-year PGWP.
Completed more than 1 programme
- Candidates may receive a PGWP that combines the length of both the study programmes, provided both programmes were PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months long.
Eligibility Criteria for PGWP Canada
As an international student in Canada, about to graduate from one of the top Canadian universities, it is important to understand the next steps that are available to you, i.e. PGWP. If you are interested in applying for a work permit in Canada, then you must ensure that you qualify for the following eligibility criteria for the PGWP.
General Eligibility for PGWP
- Applicants must have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is also eligible to offer PGWP programmes.
- Candidates are advised to check the DLI list on the official website of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Completed a programme with a minimum duration of 8 months or 900 hours for programmes offered in Quebec.
- Maintained a full-time student status in Canada for every semester of the study programme.
- Exception: Students studying part-time during the final semester of their study programme can still qualify for the PGWP.
- Have applied for the permit within 180 days of receiving an official confirmation that you have completed the study programme.
- The study permit should remain valid at any point during the 180 days after you graduate and before you submit the PGWP application.
Students will not qualify for the PGWP in Canada if they:
- Already possess a PGWP
- Have studied English or French as a second language
- Took self-improvement or self-interest courses
- Received funding or a scholarship from GAC with a mandatory component requiring the awardees to return to their home countries after graduation.
- Completed more than 50% of their study programme through distance learning, i.e. online courses, e-learning courses or correspondence.
- Pursued a study programme at a non-Canadian institution located within Canada.
- Pursued higher studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is not PGWP eligible.
Study Programme-Specific Eligibility Requirements
- Graduating with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or a PhD in Canada:
- Must display a minimum English language proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French.
- Graduating from any other university programme in Canada:
- Must display a minimum English language proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French.
- Candidates must ensure that they qualify for the “field of study requirements” as well.
- Graduating from a College, Polytechnic or a non-university programme in Canada:
- Must display a minimum English language proficiency equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 or Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French.
- Candidates must ensure that they qualify for the “field of study requirements” as well.
- Graduating from a flight school:
- Must have completed a flight training course at a DLI training centre and possess a Canadian commercial pilot license; or
- Possess or are in the process of receiving an instructor’s rating and hold a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI training centre.
Location-Based Eligibility Criteria for PGWP
- Candidates who completed their higher studies in accordance with the regulations stated above are qualified to apply for the PGWP.
- Candidates must possess a valid study permit to apply for the PGWP
- Those whose study permit expires before they receive their final scores must either apply for a visitor visa to stay in Canada for a bit longer or leave Canada and apply for the PGWP.
- Those whose study permit expires while they remain in Canada are required to apply for a restoration of status as a student to apply for their PGWP.
- Candidates who complete their studies through distance learning must ensure that they have completed at least 50% of their studies on campus on a valid study permit.
Field of Study Requirements for PGWP
- Those graduating from any other university programme other than a Bachelor’s, Master’s or a PhD, and those graduating from a College/Polytechnic or a non-university programme are required to ensure that they meet the field of study requirements as specified by the IRCC.
- Candidates must graduate from a study programme that has been listed on the Classification of Instructional Programme (CIP) at the time of submitting the PGWP application.
- These “fields of study requirements” ensure that Canada is recruiting eligible and qualified candidates in job roles that are proven to have a long-term shortage in Canada.
- To find out if your desired programme is eligible for PGWP, contact the desired university or DLI where you wish to pursue your studies and inquire about the same. The DLIs will provide you with 6-digit CIP codes that can be entered in the Statistics Canada CIP Classification Catalogue to ensure that the programme is eligible for PGWP.
The fields of study categories that are listed on the IRCC website, as of December 2025, include:
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Education
- Healthcare and Social Services
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trade
- Transport.
Important Note: The eligible “fields of study requirements” constantly change as per the Canadian job market requirements. Therefore, applicants are advised to check these requirements before they apply for the PGWP.
Documents Required for PGWP Canada
After ensuring that you qualify for the post-graduate work permit, it is important to provide substantial evidence supporting your claim of eligibility. This can be done by submitting the following documents required for the PGWP application.
Proof of Completed Studies
- A degree or diploma from a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- An official letter from the school that the applicant is graduating from,
- An official transcript or a copy of the official transcript from the school’s website.
Proof of Full-time Status as a Student in Canada
- An official transcript issued by the Designated Learning Institution (DLI); or
- A copy of the official transcript issued from the DLI’s official website.
- Ensure that the programme that the student has enrolled in, is at least 8 months or longer.
Proof of Sufficient Language Proficiency
- All international students graduating from a DLI in Canada, except flight schools, are required to meet the minimum language requirements.
- Candidates must demonstrate sufficient skills and proficiency in language in the four following areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Listening
- The test scores should be less than 2 years old
- Acceptable language proficiency tests include
- For English: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core
- For French: French Evaluation Test (TEF) and French Language Proficiency Test (TCF)
Proof of Graduation from an Eligible Field of Study
Submit documentation on the IRCC website that proves candidates who need to prove their graduated from a specific field of study.
Proof of Upfront Medical Exam
Applicants wishing to work in an occupational setting that requires a medical exam must complete an upfront medical exam as well.
How to Apply for PGWP in Canada?
Completing the application process for PGWP in Canada is a crucial step that all foreign nationals must handle with care if they wish to gain valuable work experience in Canada. As per the provisions offered by the Canadian government, all eligible foreign nationals, whether inside or outside Canada, can apply for a PGWP, since the application for the permit is to be submitted online. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the online application process for PGWP in Canada.
Step 1: Gather and Compile Necessary Documents
- Using either a scanner or a camera, applicants must create electronic copies of their documents.
- Candidates must keep their credit or debit card ready for use.
- Acceptable Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or JCB
- Acceptable Debit Cards: Cards from a Canadian bank using INTERAC Online and should be registered for online banking through the bank’s website.
Step 2: Read the Instruction Guide and Apply for PGWP
The IRCC has provided a detailed guide outlining every step of the process that applicants must complete to ensure they have successfully completed the application process. The IRCC has provided detailed instructions for applicants from outside Canada and those applying from within Canada. Some guidelines that international students applying for the PGWP from within Canada include:
- Download and use the document checklist to ensure you possess the correct documents for the application process.
- Complete the application process by filling out the information completely and accurately.
- Pay the required application fees and remember to print out the receipt of the payment for the aforementioned application fees, i.e.:
- Work Permit Fee - CA $155 per person
- Biometrics Fee - CA $85
- Submit the application form after reviewing all the data and paying the fees.
After Applying for PGWP
Once the PGWP application form has been submitted, applicants can choose to do one of the several activities that are considered acceptable to do afterwards. Among these activities that applicants can take up include:
- Work while the application is being processed (Conditions Apply)
- Travel Outside of Canada
- Bring your spouse or common-law partner to Canada.
Work While Waiting for Response
After the PGWP application form has been submitted, candidates will be free to start working, provided they meet the following criteria:
- They had a valid study permit at the time they submitted their application form.
- They have completed their study programme.
- They are eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, and they did not work over the permitted working hours.
- Candidates who have received the WP-EXT for PGWP letter.
In case applicants are asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work while they wait for a response on their PGWP application, they can provide the following documents:
- Proof of completion of the study programme.
- Copy of the Study Permit
- Copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of the PGWP application form
- Copy of WP-EXT for PGWP letter to continue work even after the 180-day validity period expires.
Note: Only those candidates who are actively waiting on the IRCC to respond to their PGWP application form are eligible for such consideration. Those who have received a rejection of their PGWP applications are advised to stop working immediately upon receiving the notification
Travel Outside of Canada
Those who applied for the PGWP from within Canada can choose to travel outside Canada, provided they have a valid visitor visa or an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) when returning to Canada. Without these documents, those who exit Canada may not be allowed to re-enter, even if they possess a valid post-graduate work permit.
Bring Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner
Once the post-graduate work permit (PGWP) has been approved and issued, candidates can bring their spouse or common-law partner to Canada. Additionally, the spouse or common-law partner may also be eligible for an open work permit to work in Canada.
What to do if Passport Expires Before PGWP?
While it is advisable to ensure that the passport of a prospective PGWP applicant remains valid for the entire duration of the post-graduate work permit that they qualify for, Canada has defined certain steps that allow international students to follow once their passport expires.
As per regulations, the post-graduate work permit (PGWP) is only issued for the period during which an applicant’s passport remains valid. However, if an applicant is unable to renew their passport before they apply for the PGWP, Canada allows such candidates to extend their PGWP to the remaining qualified period of the post-graduate work permit. In such cases, candidates must renew their passports and apply for an extension of the PGWP via paper.
One of the benefits of choosing to study in Canada is the post-graduate work opportunities, where eligible students can gain valuable work experience. This work experience not only helps them get closer to achieving their permanent residency in Canada, but also makes them an invaluable candidate for employers from around the globe. Additionally, the opportunity to work after graduation also allows students to earn back their initial investment of pursuing higher studies at one of the top-ranking universities in Canada. Therefore, choosing to apply for the post-graduate work permit will only be beneficial for prospective international students in Canada. To learn more about the study and work opportunities in Canada as an international student, connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance for free.