Essential Guide to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

Who is Eligible for a PGWP in Canada?

To qualify for a PGWP, you must meet several program requirements related to your study program, institution, field of study, physical location, and application timing.

PGWP Eligibility Criteria

✅Program Duration

You completed an academic program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours if in Quebec) at a PGWP‑eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI)   that’s approved by the Canadian government to host international students.

Note that our office never recommends that an international student complete only an 8 month program of studies. If you are going to make the investment to study in Canada, we recommend that you study a minimum of a 2 year program, so that you can obtain a 3 year post graduation work permit. Getting a 1 year PGWP because you studied less than 2 years does not help you in any way - as it's not usually long enough to qualify for PR or even to obtain 1 year of Canadian work experience.

What Is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)?

Not all schools in Canada are DLIs — and not all DLIs offer programs that make you eligible for a PGWP. So it's important to

double-check your school and program before you apply.

You can find the official list of DLIs on the Government of Canada’s website. Each school on the list will show whether its programs are eligible for the PGWP. But remember, just because a school has some programs that are eligible for the PGWP, that does not mean that all programs are eligible. Ensure you double check with the DLI if the program you are interested in qualifies you for a PGWP, and get the answer in writing before you decide to enroll.

What Program Types Qualify for a PGWP?

To be eligible for a PGWP, your program must meet all of the following:

• It was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours in Quebec).
• It led to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• It was completed in-person in Canada (though there are some exceptions for online/hybrid formats).
• It was offered by a PGWP-eligible DLI.

Programs that usually qualify include:

• Public college diplomas and certificates
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Master’s degrees
• PhD programs
• Some professional training programs (e.g. nursing, trades, early childhood education)

✅Full-time student status

You maintained full-time status each semester — part-time is allowed in your final term and your final transcripts must reflect full-time studies .

✅Apply within 180 days

You must submit your PGWP application within 180 days of receiving your final official transcript or your program completion letter. It is highly recommended to apply for your PGWP as soon as you receive written confirmation of program completion.

✅Valid study permit

You need to hold a valid study permit at any point during those 180 days after graduation in order to apply for a PGWP.

Note that your study permit is considered to automatically expire 90 days after you receive notice that you have completed your program, even if the actual expiry date on the permit still shows it is valid.

Special Cases & Online Study

Distance learning, authorized leave, school transfers, and overseas program components have specific rules—check IRCC’s special cases page or consult an immigration professional to get proper advice if you have a complicated study situation and want to be sure that you maintain eligibility for a post graduation work permit.

Courses taken online from inside Canada: these programs count towards PGWP if they were completed before August 31, 2024 under the temporary policy - During the COVID pandemic, IRCC introduced special PGWP policies for international students who had to study online due to pandemic era policies. These special policies ended on August 31, 2024. Now, students who attend their program fully online are not eligible for a PGWP if their online courses represent more than 50% of their program.

Courses taken online from outside Canada: You can complete up to 100% of your studies online from outside Canada between March 2020 and August 31, 2022, because of a temporary COVID-19 policy. This temporary policy expired August 31, 2022.

After August 31, 2024: Online studies from outside Canada no longer count towards PGWP eligibility

Accelerated programs: If you finished your program of studies faster than normal, you may still qualify for a full-length PGWP.

Curriculum licensing (public-private partnerships):
Most programs taught at private colleges under contract from public institutions are not PGWP-eligible, unless:

• The licensing agreement is within the same province, or
• It involves two provinces working together

Always be careful when planning to study at a private college in Canada, and ensure that you have had an immigration professional explain the implications fully. The rules related to Canadian immigration are vastly different for private colleges than publicly funded institutions. You can spend a lot of money at a private college and then go back home as soon as you graduate, because you have no options to remain in Canada.

Flight school graduates:
You may qualify for a PGWP after studying flight school in Canada, if you have a Canadian commercial pilot license or a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI

Programs with overseas components:
You may qualify for a PGWP if your Canadian school grants credit for the overseas portion; however, the length of the PGWP will only match the length of time that you studied in Canada.

📌 NEW: Other Eligibility Criteria of PGWP (as of November 1, 2024)

International students applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, will have different eligibility criteria compared to those who applied before that date.



Starting November 1, 2024, eligible students will be required to take a recognized immigration language test and achieve a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 under the new PGWP eligibility requirements.

1. Language proficiency requirements

• For bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs → CLB 7 in all four skills.
• For other university programs → CLB 7 in all four skills.
• For college/diploma/certificate programs → CLB 5 in all four skills.



Language ability test results must be no more than 2 years old on the date you apply for your PGWP.

Accepted language tests are: CELPIP (General), IELTS (General), PTE (Core) for English, and TEF and TCF for French.

Note: Flight school graduates are exempt from the new language and field-of-study rules.

2. Field-of-study requirement (for study permits applied on or after Nov 1, 2024)

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD → No field restrictions.
• Other university programs → Must be in an eligible field (e.g., STEM, healthcare, trades).
• College/Certificate programs → Must also be in eligible fields.

PGWP Duration: How Long Can You Work in Canada?

If you’re approved for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), the length of your work permit depends on the nature and the length your study programs:

PGWP Length for Master’s degree programs:

If you completed a Master's degree in Canada, as of February 15, 2024, you can get a 3-year PGWP validity period even if the study was under 2 years, as long as it was at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec).

• Example: If your Master's degree program was 10 months, your PGWP will be valid for 3 years.

PGWP Length for other programs:

• If you completed a program of studies that took between 8 months to under 2 years, your PGWP will be issued for the same duration of time as you studied.
• Example: If your program was 10 months, your PGWP will be valid for 10 months.
• 2 years or longer: You may get a 3-year PGWP
• Can You Combine Programs for a Longer PGWP?
• Yes — if you completed two or more eligible programs back-to-back (without taking a break), you may qualify for a longer PGWP. The total length of both programs is used to determine how long your PGWP will be.
• You can combine lengths of two back-to-back programs if:
• Each was PGWP-eligible
• Each was 8+ months
• Note that you can’t get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.
• Example: You finish a 1-year diploma program, then immediately start another 1-year certificate at the same or another eligible school. Together, that adds up to 2 years — meaning you may qualify for a 3-year PGWP.
• You can only obtain one post graduation work permit for your entire life, so it's important not to apply for the PGWP until you are eligible for at least a 3 year duration. Do not apply for a one year PGWP unless you have absolutely no other option.

How Your Passport Affects PGWP Length

Before applying for a PGWP, make sure your passport is valid for the full length of PGWP you’re eligible for. If your passport expiry date is sooner, you’ll only get a PGWP that matches your passport’s expiry date.

In this case, you can renew your passport and apply to extend your PGWP later — but it's best to renew your passport before applying to avoid delays or shorter permit durations, as it helps you avoid putting in a separate application later on.

When and How to Apply for Your PGWP

When to apply for PGWP

You must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final marks or official transcript from your school.

To be eligible, your must have had a valid study permit at some point during those 180 days.

If your study permit is about to expire and you haven’t received your final grades yet, you can:

• Apply for a study permit extension, or
• Maintain your temporary resident status by applying for a visitor record and change to valid visitor status. This is an inland application to change Terms and Conditions of your stay. It is not the same as applying for a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV.

If your study permit expires and you didn’t apply for an extension or visitor record, you can still apply for a PGWP if:

• You restore your study permit, and you submit your PGWP application within 90 days of your permit expiring, OR
• You leave Canada and apply for your PGWP from overseas

How to Apply for a PGWP

You can apply for a PGWP either from within Canada or from outside the country, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

You must apply for the PGWP online through your IRCC account. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a PGWP:

1. Sign in to your IRCC account or create one.
2. Select “Apply to come to Canada”.
3. Use the eligibility tool to generate your document checklist.
4. Complete and upload the required forms.
5. Pay the application fee and submit.

 Document Checklist for PGWP

Here’s what you’ll need to include in your application:

• IMM 5710 form (Application to Change Conditions or Extend Stay in Canada – Worker) - for inland applications
• IMM 1295 form (Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada) - for overseas applications
• Copy of your valid passport (all pages with stamps and personal info, ideally your passport is valid for the full length of your PGWP eligibility)
• Study permit (valid at some point within the past 180 days)
• Official transcript
• Letter of program completion from your DLI
• Digital photo (passport-style)
• Biometrics receipt (if applicable)
• Starting November 1, 2024, language test results may be required

✅ Tip: Your post graduation work permit (PGWP) will not be issued beyond the expiry of your passport. If your passport is expiring soon, renew it before you apply with your new passport to avoid getting a shorter work permit.

Note that submitting documents not in English or French requires an official translation or certified copy.

PGWP Fees

• Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100
• Work Permit Processing Fee: $155
• Biometrics (if required): $85



Total cost: The application fee for the PGWP is $255 CAD, or $340 with biometrics. If you don't pay the biometrics fee up front and it is required in your case, you will be required by the IRCC to pay additional fees during processing and this may cause further delays. Note that fees are subject to change by the IRCC.

Processing Times for the PGWP Application

Processing times can vary depending on where you apply from. Expected processing time for PGWP applications in Canada can range from 3-7 months.

You can check current wait times on the IRCC website.

• If you are applying from inside Canada, select 'Temporary residence' - 'Work permit from inside Canada'.
• If you are applying from outside Canada, select 'Temporary residence' - 'Work permit (from outside Canada)' - choose your home country.

What Affects PGWP Processing Time?

Several factors can influence how quickly your application is processed:

• Whether your application is complete: Missing documents or incomplete forms can lead to delays or refusals.
• Biometrics: If required, processing won’t start until your biometrics are submitted.
• Volume of applications: Wait times may be longer during peak graduation periods.
• Country of application: If you’re applying from outside Canada, processing speed varies by country.
• Special circumstances: Background checks, medical exams, or program-specific flags can cause processing delays.



To avoid delays, submit all required documents and make sure your forms are fully filled out and accurate.

Can I Work While Waiting for My PGWP?

Yes — if you apply from inside Canada and:

• Your study permit was valid when you submitted the application, and
• You were eligible to work off-campus while studying



Once a Post-Graduation Work Permit application is submitted, you may begin working full-time while waiting for your application decision. This is known as implied status/ maintained status.

Life After the PGWP: From International Students to Permanent Residency

Your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) isn’t just a way to stay and work in Canada — it’s often the first step that a graduate student takes toward becoming a permanent resident.

By working in Canada after graduation, you can gain valuable Canadian work experience that may help you qualify for several immigration programs.



If you would like to know more about your options of transitioning from international students to permanent residents, book a consultation with our experienced immigration consultants today.

PGWP to PR Canada: How It Works

The work experience you gain during your PGWP can count toward your eligibility for permanent residency (PR). Many Canadian immigration programs give extra points or priority to candidates with:

• Canadian work experience
• Canadian education
• Job offers from Canadian employers
• Ties to a province or territory

Popular PR Pathways for PGWP Holders

Here are the main programs to explore:

1. Express Entry (Canadian Experience Class)

If you work in a high-skilled job (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) for at least 1 year full-time (or equivalent part-time), you may be eligible to apply for PR under the Canadian Experience Class.

PGWP work experience also boosts your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in Express Entry.

Many international students left home at a young age and did not have any work experience before studying in Canada. In these situations, the best option to qualify under Express Entry is often to gain Canadian work experience using the PGWP and then return overseas to also gain Foreign work experience before turning age 30. The combination of Canadian work experience, foreign work experience and good language scores is often what makes an international student eligible for an invitation to apply under Express Entry.



To find out more about Express Entry and the program requirements, read our article 'Mastering the Canada PR & CRS Points System: A Complete Guide to Increasing Your Express Entry Score'.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Each province and territory has its own immigration programs — many have special streams for undergraduate students and graduate students with a job offer or Canadian work experience.



Examples:

• Ontario International Graduate stream
• BC PNP Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams
• Alberta Opportunity Stream

These programs may have lower requirements than Express Entry and often provide a PNP nomination worth 600 extra CRS points if you’re in the Express Entry pool.

Be cautious about jumping from Province to Province looking for work or residence. Many provinces restrict participation in their PR pathways to international students who studied in their province. If you move from the province where you studied in order to pursue a work opportunity, ensure that you understand what PR pathways you will or will not be eligible for in the new province of residence.

3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

If you studied and now work in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador), you may be eligible under the AIP — especially if you have a job offer from a designated employer.

4. Quebec Immigration Programs

If you graduated from a school in Quebec and have work experience there, you may qualify for Quebec’s own programs like the PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise).

5. Spousal Sponsorship

If you're in a genuine relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for PR through spousal or common-law sponsorship.

This pathway:

• Does not require a job offer
• Works for both inland and outland applicants
• May allow you to apply for a spousal open work permit while waiting for a decision



Spousal sponsorship is often the best option for PGWP holders in long-term relationships, especially if your Express Entry or PNP points are too low. 

Special Considerations and Common Questions

The PGWP process can seem straightforward at first — but there are several important rules and exceptions to keep in mind.

Spousal Open Work Permit for Spouse of PGWP Holder

If you're working in Canada on a valid PGWP, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if your job meets certain criteria.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be working in a job under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (formerly NOC 0, A, or B).
• Your job must be full-time and valid, with supporting documents (like a job letter and pay stubs).
• Your spouse must submit a copy of your PGWP, your job details, and proof of the relationship.

This open work permit allows your spouse to work for any employer in Canada while your PGWP is valid.

FAQs about PGWP

At The Way Immigration, we’re here to help you get your PGWP application right the first time. Our licensed Canadian immigration consultants can guide you through the process of transitioning from study permit to work permit and help you choose the best pathway to permanent residency based on your unique situation. Ready to take the next step toward your future in Canada? Book a consultation with our team at our Calgary immigration office today.