Canadian Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

Welcome to the gateway of career possibilities! Canada stands out as a premier destination for international students, and one of the compelling reasons is the exciting post-graduate work permit opportunities it offers. Your journey doesn’t end with graduation; it’s just the beginning of an international career adventure. Key 2025-2026

PGWP changes: (1) As of November 1, 2024, most applicants must include an approved language test score with their application. (2) Non-degree graduates must confirm their program is on the PGWP-eligible field-of-study list (tied to CIP codes). (3) IRCC froze the list of 1,107 eligible programs for all of 2026, no programs will be added or removed this year. (4) As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for program-required placements, a valid study permit is sufficient.

About the Canadian Post-Graduate Work Permit

What exactly is a Canadian post-graduate work permit? It’s your opportunity to stay and work full-time in Canada for up to three years after completing a qualifying program as an international student. The PGWP is one of the most direct routes to gaining Canadian work experience, an essential stepping stone toward permanent residence.

The Roadmap to the Post-Graduate Work Permit

Once you’ve completed your studies and received your final marks, you have a window of 180 days to apply for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Completing your program does not automatically grant you a PGWP, you must meet specific eligibility criteria and submit an application.

New Language Requirements (Effective November 1, 2024)

If you submitted your PGWP application on or after November 1, 2024, you must include an approved English or French language test score. The minimum levels are:

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree graduates: CLB/NCLC 7 in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
• College, polytechnic, and other non-university program graduates: CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills.

Applicants who submitted their PGWP application before November 1, 2024, or are flight school graduates, are exempt from these new language requirements.

New Field-of-Study Requirement (for Non-Degree Programs)

If your study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024, and you graduated from a non-degree program (diploma, certificate, or post-graduate certificate), your program must be linked to a long-term labour shortage in Canada to qualify for a PGWP.

IRCC has frozen the list of PGWP-eligible fields of study for all of 2026. There are currently 1,107 eligible programs (classified by CIP codes). No programs will be added or removed until at least 2027. Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are exempt from field-of-study requirements.

Eligibility for PGWP – If You’re Inside Canada

• Apply within 180 days of completing your course. Prove this with your degree, diploma, transcript, or an official letter from the school.
• Your Canada student visa must be valid during these 180 days.
• You must have been enrolled full-time as of the Fall 2020 semester.
• Starting September 1, 2023, a minimum of 50% of your academic program must have been completed in-person, in Canada.

Eligibility for PGWP – If You’re Outside Canada

• Apply for the PGWP within 180 days of completing your program, submitting your degree, diploma, transcript, or an official letter from your college.
• You must have a valid study permit.
• Your institute must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Your program must be at least 8 months long and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Maintain full-time student status throughout your program.
• Time spent outside Canada after August 31, 2023, will be subtracted from the PGWP duration.

Note: Always verify the latest guidelines on Canada.ca, as immigration policies are subject to change.

Quebec Graduates and PGWP Eligibility

In Quebec, vocational and professional training programs are delivered at both secondary and post-secondary levels. The Canada-Quebec Memorandum of Understanding outlines eligibility criteria for international students seeking a PGWP.
To be eligible, you must graduate from a recognized secondary institution in Quebec with one of the following diplomas:
• Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
• Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS)

These diplomas must be issued by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES), the Department of Education and Higher Education.

Eligibility criteria for Quebec applicants include:

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Completion of a full-time vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Quebec.
• Minimum Program Duration: The program must be at least 900 hours (equivalent to 8 months).
• Submission of an official letter from the institution outlining the program duration (in hours or months).

Eligible Institutions

The program or programs of study must be taken in Canada at one of the following eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs):

• Public post-secondary institutions (college, trade/technical school, university, CEGEP in Quebec)
• Private post-secondary institutions adhering to Quebec’s rules and regulations
• Private or public secondary/post-secondary institutions in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to DVS or AVS
• Canadian private institutions authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees, but only if enrolled in a degree program authorized by the province

Not Eligible for PGWP

Students are ineligible if they have completed:

• English or French as a second language course or program
• General interest or self-improvement courses
• A course or program at a private career college
• A program delivered by a private career college under a curriculum licensing agreement with a public PGWP-eligible institution in another province

Co-op Work Placement Update (April 1, 2026)

As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for student work placements that are part of their program. A valid study permit with on-campus work conditions is sufficient, provided the placement is required by the program and totals 50% or less of the program. Secondary school students still need a co-op work permit.

DLIs Losing Designation: Options for Applicants

If the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) loses its designation status before the completion of your program, you have options. You can either transfer to another program or choose to stay at the institution to complete your program. Despite this change, you may still be eligible for a PGWP if you meet all other program requirements and continue to adhere to the conditions of your study permit.

Application Details for PGWP Canada

• Application Window: You have a 180-day window post-graduation to submit your PGWP application.
• Required Documents: Degree, diploma, official letter from your academic institution, or official transcript — plus approved language test results (if applicable).
• Application Fee: CAD 255 (CAD 155 base fee + CAD 100 Open Work Permit Holder fee).
• Processing Times: Online applications are typically processed faster than paper-based. Check current processing times on the IRCC website, as these are updated regularly.

All PGWP applications must be submitted online. Paper-based applications are no longer accepted as the standard submission method.

Can I Get PR After a PGWP in Canada?

Yes, it is possible to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada after completing a PGWP. Key pathways include:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Requires at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in TEER 0–3 occupations within the three years before applying.
• Language Proficiency: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces value Canadian work experience, a PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points.
• No LMIA Required: Unlike other work permits, the PGWP does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment to gain Canadian work experience.

In 2025, approximately 42% of all Express Entry invitations went to PGWP holders, reflecting Canada’s continued reliance on former international students to fill its skilled workforce. With proposed 2026 Express Entry reforms emphasizing Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations, PGWP holders in eligible fields may see their pathways to PR strengthened further.

Canada PGWP FAQs