Last Updated: July 21, 2026
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets international students who graduate from an eligible Canadian designated learning institution (DLI)** apply for an open work permit. It gives graduates Canadian work experience and a pathway to permanent residence through programs like the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.
**a DLI is not the same thing as an eligible DLI. Check https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.html to confirm whether your studies are eligible for a PGWP.
Who is Eligible for a PGWP?
You must have completed a program at an eligible DLI in Canada that ran at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec programs) and led to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Quick Tip
When choosing your school, remember that attending a DLI opens the door to a PGWP. Fred’s College of Accounting (even with a 6-month co-op programme) is a dead end, and once you graduate you are on your own. One caution: since late 2024, a DLI alone is no longer enough. Your program level, field of study, and language results all factor in too.
- You must have kept full-time student status during each academic session (with some exceptions).
- You must have confirmation of program completion from your DLI, such as a transcript or official letter.
- You must apply within 180 days of receiving that confirmation.
- You must not have held a PGWP before.
- You must have had valid temporary resident status at the time of application, or have left Canada.
Language test: If you apply on or after November 1, 2024, you must include an approved English or French test result. This is measured on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), or its French equivalent the NCLC, the government’s scale for rating language ability. Degree graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral) need CLB/NCLC 7 in all four skills; college and other non-university graduates need level 5. Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada, taken in person and valid for two years. Students who applied for their study permit before November 1, 2024 are exempt.
Field of study: Graduates of programs below a college bachelor’s degree, meaning most diplomas and certificates, must have studied in an eligible field. Each eligible field matches a CIP code on IRCC’s list. This list changes, so check it right before you apply. A field that qualified when you enrolled may have since been removed.
One recent bright spot: master’s graduates can now get a 3-year PGWP regardless of program length, as long as the program ran at least 8 months.
Can I Keep Working After I Finish My Studies, Before My PGWP Arrives?
Yes, in most cases. If you applied for your PGWP while your study permit was still valid, you can work full-time without a separate work permit while you wait for a decision. This is authorized under paragraph R186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
Here are the key points to remember:
- Valid study permit: You must have held a valid study permit when you applied for your PGWP.
- Within 180 days: You must apply within 180 days of confirming you completed your program.
- No separate work permit needed: You can work full-time while you wait, if you meet the conditions above.
- Maintain status: You must keep your temporary resident status during the waiting period.
If your study permit expires before you apply, you cannot work until your PGWP is approved. In that case, you would need to restore your status or leave Canada.
Quick Tip
A study permit expires automatically 90 days after you complete (or abandon) your studies, regardless of the expiry date printed on the document.
How and Where to Apply
You can apply from inside Canada with a valid study permit, or if you can restore your student status. You can also apply from outside Canada, though as of June 2024 you can no longer apply at a port of entry when arriving in Canada.
One warning that trips up many applicants: when you apply, upload your language test result and, if required, your field-of-study proof under the “Client Information” section of your online account. IRCC’s portal has no dedicated slot for these yet, so many applicants leave them out and get refused. Only one file is saved there, so merge everything into a single PDF before uploading.
Common Reasons PGWP Applications Get Refused
- Missing language or field-of-study documents: the portal has no dedicated upload slot, so applicants leave them out.
- Online study over the limit: for recent lock-in dates, at least 50% of your program must be completed in Canada, and online study from outside Canada after August 31, 2024 does not count.
- Public-private partnership programs: most students who started these curriculum-licensing programs after the 2024 cutoff dates are no longer eligible.
- Applying past the 180-day window: the deadline is strict, so plan your test and documents early.
Though no longer a golden ticket, the PGWP remains the key step for international graduates moving from temporary to permanent residence in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need IELTS to apply for a PGWP?
You need an approved language test, but not necessarily IELTS. If you apply on or after November 1, 2024, you must submit results from IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. Degree graduates need CLB/NCLC 7; college graduates need level 5.
How long is a PGWP valid?
A PGWP lasts between 8 months and 3 years, based on the length of your study program. Master’s graduates can now receive a 3-year permit regardless of program length, as long as the program ran at least 8 months.
Can I get a PGWP more than once?
No. The PGWP is a one-time permit. If you complete several programs, apply after your longest one to get the maximum validity.
What happens if my study permit expires before I apply?
You cannot work until your PGWP is approved. You have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your student status. After 90 days, you must leave Canada.
Does my field of study affect my eligibility?
Yes, if your program is below a college bachelor’s degree. Diploma and certificate graduates must have studied in an eligible field matched to a CIP code on IRCC’s list. Degree graduates are exempt from this requirement.
Key Takeaways
- The PGWP is an open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian DLIs, and a main pathway to permanent residence.
- Since November 1, 2024, most applicants must include an approved language test result (CLB/NCLC 7 for degree grads, level 5 for others).
- Non-degree graduates must also have studied in an eligible field of study, matched to a CIP code on IRCC’s changing list.
- You must apply within 180 days of program completion, and you can work full-time while you wait if your study permit was valid when you applied.
- Master’s graduates can now get a 3-year PGWP regardless of program length.
Need Help Getting It Right?
The PGWP rules have changed a lot since 2024, and a single missing document can cost you the permit and the permanent residence pathway behind it. If you want a second set of eyes on your application, Dr. Joe’s team can walk you through it.
