Post-graduation work permits

Overview

Post-graduation work permits

A PGWP is a one-time open work permit for graduates who meet the school, program, study, language, field-of-study, timing and location rules. Graduating from a DLI alone is not enough.

Verify the exact program, not just the school

The program must be PGWP-eligible and generally at least eight months long, or 900 hours for specified Quebec credentials. Curriculum-licensing and other ineligible programs can be offered at a DLI without leading to a PGWP.

Check the DLI list and provincial information before enrolment and again before applying.

Language and field rules now apply

Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university graduates generally need CLB/NCLC 7; college, polytechnic and other non-university graduates generally need 5. Approved results must be less than two years old.

Applicants whose study-permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024 may need an eligible field of study, except bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates. Flight-school graduates have separate exceptions.

Study history matters

Maintain full-time status in each required academic session, with the permitted final-session exception, and respect work and study conditions. More than half of the program by distance learning normally makes the graduate ineligible.

Keep transcripts, completion records and explanations for authorized leave or unusual terms.

Permit length is not always three years

Length depends on the credential and program duration and cannot exceed passport validity. A PGWP generally cannot be renewed, although a shorter permit caused only by passport expiry may be extendable after renewal.

Apply within the required period and protect status. PGWP applications can no longer be made at a port of entry.