Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) [R205(c) - C43] – International Mobility Program

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

In these instructions “officers” refers to employees of both Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency.

The instructions on this page should be reviewed in conjunction with the following:

The minister designated as necessary the work performed by foreign nationals who have graduated from an eligible program and designated learning institution in Canada for public policy reasons related to the competitiveness of Canada’s academic institutions or economy, under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) category allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class.

On this page

Receipt of application

Foreign nationals who held a study permit and were attending a program that made them eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at a designated learning institution (DLI) may apply for an open work permit under subparagraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C43 – post-graduation work permit (PGWP) category.

180-day time period

The PGWP application must be received within 180 days of the foreign national obtaining written confirmation, such as an official letter of completion or transcript from the DLI indicating that they have met the requirements for completing their program of study.

Calculation of the 180 days begins on the first of either the

  • day the final marks for the program were issued or
  • day the applicant receives formal written notification that they have completed the program
    • The applicant should provide proof of the date they receive the official letter of completion or transcript. Officers may also confirm this date with the DLI.

Place of application

Foreign nationals may apply for a work permit in the post-graduation category

  • from within Canada (section R199)
  • at a port of entry (section R198) or
  • outside Canada (section R197)

In Canada – study permit is valid

Study permits are generally issued for 90 days longer than the expected end date of the program. However, international students are provided 180 days from the completion of their studies to apply for a PGWP. Applicants must maintain their status in Canada and their ability to apply from within Canada under section R199.

Applicants may apply for a PGWP from within Canada if their study permit is still valid or if they meet one of the other requirements of section R199 at the time they submit their application.

Applicants who apply for their work permit while their study permit remains valid may be authorized to work without a permit pending a decision on the work permit application under paragraph R186(w).

Important: If a foreign national has submitted an application to extend their study permit and they are studying under section R189, section R199 does not apply to them, and they must wait until their new study permit is received in order to be eligible under R199.

In Canada – study permit becomes invalid or is expired

Applicants whose study permit becomes invalid or expires before they apply for a work permit may not be eligible to apply from in Canada because they would no longer meet the requirements of section R199, even if they have maintained their temporary resident status as a visitor. In these cases, the applicant must submit their PGWP application outside Canada.

However, if the applicant is eligible for restoration under section R182, they can restore their status as a temporary resident with authorization to study by applying for a study permit and then a work permit.

While the study permit application with restoration is being processed, if the study permit is approved and issued, then the requirement of section R199 for the submission of the work permit application in Canada would be met at that moment. Therefore, the concurrent work permit application can be processed.

Instructions for the applicant are available here: Work in Canada after you graduate: How to apply

Port of entry

Applicants who meet the requirements of section R198 (TRV-exempt, completed medical examination if required) may apply for the PGWP when seeking entry to Canada.

They must meet all eligibility criteria for the PGWP category and regulatory requirements for submission at the port of entry.

Outside Canada

Applicants who left Canada after they completed their studies may apply in the PGWP category if they meet all the eligibility criteria for the category and are applying within the 180-day period.

Note: Applicants may submit an application “outside” Canada while they physically remain in Canada. They must maintain their status as a visitor until they receive the actual work permit. However, they are not eligible to work while waiting for a decision on their PGWP application as per paragraph R186(w). In addition, they will have to leave and re-enter Canada to be examined and issued any provisionally approved work permit.

Eligibility

To obtain a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), the applicant must meet the criteria below. They

  • have not previously held an open work permit issued under subparagraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C43 – post-graduation work permit category
  • had authorization to study in Canada that expired in the 180-day period immediately preceding the PGWP application, through
  • have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI) and program
    • Programs delivered on behalf of a PGWP-eligible institution through a curriculum licensing agreement are not eligible unless the enrolment timeline meets the criteria for one of the exceptions below.
  • have completed an eligible academic, vocational or professional training program in Canada that was a minimum of 8 months in duration that led to a degree, diploma or certificate
  • have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or programs completed, with exceptions made only for the following:
  • have received confirmation of completion of their program of study from the eligible DLI by obtaining one of the following
    • a transcript
    • an official letter confirming that they have met the requirements to complete their program of study
  • have submitted an application for a work permit in the post-graduation category within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion

Ineligible applicants

Foreign nationals who studied at a DLI are ineligible if they

  • have previously been issued a PGWP
  • completed more than 50% of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning
    • Various special measures were implemented between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024, regarding distance learning.
  • completed only
    • a course or program of study on English or French as a second language
    • general interest or self-improvement courses
    • a course or program of study at a private career college, including programs presented under a curriculum licensing agreement with a public institution within the same province/territory or in another province/territory that allows students to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit unless the enrolment timeline meets the criteria for one of the exceptions below.
  • participated in the International scholarships for non-Canadians program funded by Global Affairs Canada, other than Study in Canada Scholarship recipients who are eligible for a post-graduation work permit, such as
  • completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of their length of stay in Canada
  • completed a course or program of study at a designated learning institution that is not PGWP-eligible
    • This includes programs delivered on behalf of a PGWP-eligible institution through a curriculum licensing agreement, unless you meet the criteria for one of the exceptions below.

Curriculum licensing agreements

Curriculum licensing agreements allow students to graduate from a program that was delivered by a private career college on behalf of a public PGWP-eligible institution. These programs are not PGWP-eligible unless a student meets the criteria for one of the exceptions below:

  • Exception 1: Curriculum licensing agreements between provinces/territories (cross-jurisdictional)
    • Students who began a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in another province/territory on or before January 31, 2023, may be eligible for a PGWP. They must also meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria.
    • Students beginning these cross-jurisdictional programs on or after February 1, 2023 are not eligible for a PGWP.
    • For example, a student enrolled in a cross-jurisdictional curriculum program on September 1, 2022, and finalized their program in May 2024. They would remain eligible for a PGWP because they were enrolled before January 31, 2023.
    • Students who have completed their cross-jurisdictional program and submitted an application for a PGWP on or before January 31, 2023, continue to be eligible.
    • For example, a student completed their program under a cross-jurisdictional curriculum program on October 31, 2022. They must have applied for their PGWP on or before January 31, 2023, to be eligible.
    • Students must continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.
  • Exception 2: Curriculum licensing agreements within the same province
    • Students who began a program of study at a private college being delivered on behalf of a public college in the same province before September 1, 2024, may be eligible for a PGWP. They must also meet all other program eligibility criteria.
    • For example, a student who began a program of study under a curriculum licensing agreement program on August 31, 2024, may be eligible for a PGWP. Students must continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.

No exceptions: Students beginning curriculum licensing agreement programs on or after September 1, 2024, will not be eligible for a PGWP.

Special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2024

Special measures were put in place to facilitate students who were unable to study from inside Canada as a result of travel restrictions. Details are provided for the different requirements for these special measures.

Special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022

The “full-time student status in Canada” requirement is waived for any foreign national who

  • was in one of the following situations
    • had a valid study permit
    • was approved for a study permit
    • had submitted a study permit application before beginning their program online that eventually received a positive final decision
  • between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022, they
    • were enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program
    • started a PGWP-eligible program
  • applied for a work permit in the post-graduation category within 180 days of completing their PGWP-eligible program

Special measures between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024

On September 1, 2022, as there were no further travel restrictions, the special measures were changed. The “reduced facilitation measures” are in effect between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, for international students who began or will begin PGWP-eligible programs between those dates.

To be eligible for the facilitation measures in the validity period, these students must meet one of the following requirements

  • have a valid study permit
  • have been approved for a study permit and have yet to arrive in Canada between the dates or
  • have submitted a study permit application before beginning their program that was approved before August 31, 2024

All students who started or will start a program of study between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, are required to complete at least 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada.

  • For the above group of students, up until August 31, 2024, time spent studying outside Canada will be counted toward the overall length of the PGWP only if it constitutes less than 50% of the program.

Note: A study permit application must be received before any time spent studying at a DLI while physically outside Canada counts toward the length of the PGWP. For clarity, any studies an applicant started before receiving a study permit application do not count.

For example, eligible programs must be a minimum of 8 months. If the applicant completes only 7 months of studies after their study permit application is received, they will not be eligible for a PGWP.

Students who graduate while outside Canada and meet the eligibility requirements of the reduced facilitation measures described above do not need to hold or to have held a valid study permit within 180 days of applying for the PGWP. In order to be eligible to apply, these graduates

  • must either have a study permit or have held a study permit and
  • must apply within 180 days of receiving written notification from their DLI that they completed their program

Up to 100% of their program can be completed online from outside Canada.

Note: The “hold authority to study in the 180 days preceding the PGWP application” requirement is waived for students who graduate while outside Canada but met the eligibility requirements of these special measures. However, they must have applied for a study permit before completing their studies and received approval for the study permit before applying for the PGWP.

Part-time status

Students in Canada or outside Canada may have been required to put their studies on hold or become part-time students due to course cancellations that were the result of public health measures at DLIs. For the winter, spring and summer semesters of 2020 only (that is, between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020), if a student’s status changed from full-time to part-time because of changes in course delivery at a DLI, their eligibility for a PGWP will not be impacted.

Documentary evidence

With the application for a work permit in the post-graduation category, officers should be satisfied that they have sufficient evidence of all of the following to make an assessment that eligibility criteria are met:

  • evidence that the program or programs of study have been completed, which is generally an official letter confirming completion of the program of study issued by the designated learning institution (DLI)
  • evidence that the applicant was enrolled in full-time studies in a program of study that was 8 months or longer, which will generally be their list of classes and marks in the form of
    • an official transcript issued by their DLI
    • a transcript copy from their DLI’s website
  • confirmation after a search of the department’s processing system that the applicant did not previously hold a work permit issued under administrative code C43

The transcript or the letter of completion of studies can be used singly to assess the requirements referred to above if they provide all the information needed. For example, if the letter of completion indicates the program, that the applicant attended full-time and completed program then a copy of the transcript would not be required. However, if the evidence provided is not sufficient to satisfy the officer that the eligibility criteria are met, the officer can request additional documents or make the final decision.

Application assessment

When officers are reviewing the work permit application in the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) category, the following factors should be reviewed:

  • no previously issued work permit in the post-graduation category
  • authorization to study in the preceding 180 days
  • full-time studies
  • a majority of studies completed in person while in Canada, unless special measures apply
  • a PGWP-eligible program completed at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI)
  • 180 days since notification of program completion

Authorized to study in preceding 180 days

To begin the assessment of the application, officers should confirm through an integrated search that the applicant had not previously been issued a work permit under subparagraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C43.

In addition, officers can use the search result to confirm that the applicant was authorized to study in Canada in the 180 days preceding the date the applicant received the application. Officers should also review all supporting documents to confirm that the evidence provided by the applicant matches the search results.

Important: The special measures in effect from March 1, 2020 until August 31, 2022, waived the requirement for an actual study permit or authorization under section R188 as long as the applicant had submitted their study permit before completing their program.

Full-time studies

Officers can review the transcripts to confirm that the applicant was enrolled in full-time studies in their program. The term “full-time” is defined by the individual DLI, but in general it means 3 to 5 classes per semester.

There are specific situations where an applicant may not be attending full-time classes but will still be eligible for a PGWP.

Note: If an applicant studies part-time during regularly scheduled breaks (for example, regularly scheduled winter and summer breaks), this does not count toward a PGWP eligibility’s full-time requirement.

Applicants impacted by a DLI strike or unforeseen closure

Applicants who are impacted by a strike or unforeseen closure affecting a DLI in Canada are considered to be studying full-time during the strike period. The period of time in which the students are not attending class due to a school strike does not impact their eligibility under the PGWP. Applicants impacted by a school strike must meet all other eligibility requirements under the PGWP.

An example of an unforeseen closure could be that the DLI is affected by a wildfire or flood.

Leave from studies

If the applicant remained in Canada while a student and took leave from their studies during their program, the officer must determine if the applicant was compliant with the conditions of their study permit, as outlined in Assessing study permit conditions. If the applicant took a period of leave that was authorized by their DLI at any time during their studies, they must include with their application documentation proving the leave was authorized by the DLI. Officers may request additional documents to complete their assessment. To comply with paragraph R220.1(1), students must

  • be enrolled at a DLI
  • remain enrolled at a DLI
  • be actively pursuing their course or program of study

If the officer determines that the applicant actively pursued studies during their leave, the applicant may still be eligible for the PGWP category.

If the officer determines that the applicant did not meet the conditions of their study permit, they may be prohibited from being issued a work permit for 6 months from the date they stopped their unauthorized study or work, as per subparagraph R200(3)(e)(i).

For information about labour disruptions and strikes, see Applicants impacted by a DLI strike.

Part-time status for final academic session

Applicants must maintain full-time student status during each academic session of the program or programs of study they complete, and this status is required for their PGWP application. However, if the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements, with the exception of full-time status during their final academic session (that is, they have part-time status only in their final academic session), they are still considered eligible for the PGWP.

Majority of studies in person in Canada

Foreign nationals are required to complete the majority of their studies in person while in Canada with authority to study. Officers should be confirming that the applicant was physically in Canada and attending classes in person full-time.

Distance or online learning

Distance learning can be considered online learning, but applicants who complete a program of study exclusively by distance learning (outside or within Canada) are not eligible for a PGWP.

Important: Special measures were in place from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2022, that allowed up to 100% of studies to be completed by distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information: Special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022.

Officers should use the following guidelines to assess an applicant’s PGWP eligibility when the applicant has taken courses by distance learning in Canada at an eligible DLI:

  • If more than 50% of the program of study’s total courses are completed by distance learning, the program may reasonably be considered a distance-learning program, and the applicant is ineligible for a PGWP.
  • If less than 50% of the program of study’s total courses are completed by distance learning, a PGWP may be issued. The validity should be based on the length of the program, as confirmed by the eligible DLI, including credits earned from both in-class and distance-learning courses.

Note: If the distance-learning courses are completed outside Canada, they must be excluded from the time that counts toward the length of the PGWP.

Distance learning while in Canada

If a student’s courses were moved online due to the pandemic, the time the student spent studying online in Canada until August 31, 2024, still counts toward the length of the PGWP. However, students are highly recommended to attend in-class options when offered.

The temporary policy change for in-Canada students studying online ends on August 31, 2024.

Applicants residing in Quebec

Foreign nationals who study in Quebec are not required to have a valid Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) when submitting a PGWP application. As the PGWP is an open work permit and is exempt from a labour market impact assessment, a valid CAQ or study permit is not required when the PGWP is issued.

If foreign nationals are applying for a PGWP and their study permit has expired, they can apply to restore their status as a student without a CAQ and apply for the PGWP at the same time; the CAQ is not required for the PGWP.

Completed eligible program at an eligible DLI

Officers should confirm that the applicant provided evidence that the program or programs of study taken met all of the criteria below. They were

  • in Canada
  • a minimum of 8 months in duration (individually or accumulated over 2 programs)
  • at an eligible DLI, such as
    • a public post-secondary institution, such as
      • a college
      • a trade or technical school
      • a university
    • a Canadian, private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees, and the applicant was enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree, such as
      • an associate degree
      • a bachelor’s degree
      • a master’s degree
      • a doctoral degree

Note: Not all programs of study offered by a private institution may be eligible.

  • In Quebec only, the following institutions are eligible:
    • private post-secondary institutions that operate under the same rules and regulations as public institutions in Quebec
    • private or public secondary or post-secondary institutions in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to
      • a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
      • an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)
    • CEGEPs (College of General and Professional Teaching)

See the DLI list to verify a school’s eligibility. Beginning December 7, 2023, if a DLI’s program eligibility for PGWPs changes, the program will remain listed for a period of 12 months and will indicate that only applicants who completed the program before a specified date are eligible for PGWPs. If the information is not available, officers may send an email to the DLI Inbox.

Program stacking

Until August 31, 2024, eligible students who graduate from 2 eligible programs of study, where both programs were either in progress in March 2020 or were started between March 2020 and August 31, 2022, may be able to

  • complete 100% of both programs from outside Canada (if both programs were either in progress in March 2020, or began between March 2020 and August 31, 2022) and
  • combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a PGWP in the future

According to current instructions on determining the length of the PGWP, both programs need to be

  • a minimum of 8 months in duration and
  • completed at an eligible DLI within 2 years

Students who started their second program on or after September 1, 2022, are not eligible for the special measure even if their first program was in progress in March 2020 or began between March 2020 and August 31, 2022.

Note: For students taking vocational programs in Quebec, the diploma of vocational studies (DVS) program must be at least 900 hours in duration to be eligible for the facilitation measure, but an attestation of vocational specialization program can be less than 900 hours in duration when submitted in combination with the DVS.

Transfers between educational institutions

In cases where a student has transferred between eligible Canadian DLIs, the combined length of study must be at least 8 months to qualify for a PGWP.

In cases where a student graduated from an eligible DLI after having transferred from an ineligible institution, only time spent at the eligible DLI counts to qualify for a PGWP. Time spent at the eligible institution must be at least 8 months.

Example 1: Transferring from a foreign institution

A student attends a foreign post-secondary institution and transfers to an accredited provincial or territorial post-secondary institution in Canada to complete their studies. In this scenario, if the qualifying educational credential were issued from an institution outside Canada, the student would not qualify for a PGWP. However, if the student received their educational credential from an eligible Canadian DLI, only the time they studied in Canada would factor into their eligibility for a PGWP.

Example 2: Transferring from an ineligible institution

A student attends their first year at a private post-secondary institution in Canada that is not eligible for the PGWP but then transfers to an eligible DLI. In this scenario, if the student completed their program of study at the eligible DLI, they may be eligible for a PGWP but only for the length of time they studied at the eligible DLI.

Example 3: Transferring between eligible DLIs

A student completes a program of study at an eligible DLI and transfers the credits earned to another eligible DLI (or transfers over the credits earned from a previous program at the same eligible DLI). If the student submits a letter of acceptance indicating that the credits earned in the first program have been accepted toward completing the subsequent program, the officer should consider all credits from both programs that contribute toward completing the subsequent program in determining PGWP eligibility and length. A PGWP is issued based on the completed duration of the program

Programs with an overseas component

If a student completes a program of study in Canada that has an overseas component, they are eligible for the PGWP, as long as they earn a Canadian educational credential from an eligible DLI. However, the length of the PGWP is based on the length of time they studied in Canada. Officers may contact the DLI to confirm that the studies have taken place in Canada.

DLIs that lose their designation

Applicants whose DLI loses its designation status before the completion of their program may transfer to another program or remain at the institution that has lost its designation status to complete their program of study. These applicants may be eligible for a PGWP if they meet all other program requirements and have continued to meet the conditions of their study permit (for example, be enrolled and actively pursuing studies).

Flight school graduates

To obtain a PGWP, flight school graduates must submit clear evidence that they meet the basic requirements for a permit and have done either of the following:

  • They have completed a flight training course at a DLI training centre and obtained a Canadian commercial pilot’s licence.
  • They have obtained or are in the process of obtaining an instructor’s rating and have received an offer of employment as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre in Canada.

Graduates of vocational and professional training programs in Quebec

Note: The following procedures apply only to graduates of Quebec institutions with either

  • a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
  • an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)

See the guidelines for determining the length of the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) for the validity periods of PGWPs issued to graduates of Quebec vocational programs.

In Quebec, vocational and professional training programs can be delivered at the secondary or post-secondary level. The provisions of the Canada–Quebec Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the entry of certain temporary foreign workers outline when international students are eligible for a PGWP. To be eligible for a PGWP, the student must graduate from a recognized secondary institution in Quebec with one of the following diplomas:

  • DVS
  • AVS

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

Procedures

Note: All of the general eligibility criteria, conditions of the work permit and processing procedures for the PGWP Program apply in conjunction with the conditions below.

Eligible applicants

Applicants who have graduated from Quebec vocational institutions with a DVS or an AVS must fulfill all of the following criteria:

  • They are 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
  • They have completed a full-time vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Quebec.
  • They have been in a program of study that was a minimum of 900 hours (equivalent to 8 months) in duration.
  • They have submitted an official letter from the institution outlining the duration of the program of study (in hours or months) to facilitate the processing and issuance of the PGWP and to confirm the duration of the work authorization.
  • They include one of the following in the work permit application:
    • the credential
    • an official attestation of program completion
    • an official transcript from a Quebec school board or private institution recognized by the MEES in support of the work permit application

Eligible institutions

Officers should verify Quebec public and private secondary schools through Inforoute: Vocational and technical training in Quebec.

Note: This website is operated by the MEES and Compétences Québec. It can be used to validate the following:

  • schools
  • programs
  • length in hours
  • resulting credential

Eligible applicants who have changed institutions during their training program must have a combined total of at least 900 hours (equivalent to 8 months) of courses at eligible institutions located in Quebec.

Final decision

Approval

The work permit will be issued under the authority of subparagraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C43.

In the Global Case Management System (GCMS) under the Application screen, officers should enter or confirm the information below in the specified fields.

Field Selection or input
Case type 56 – Post Graduation Work Permit
Province of destination Unknown
City of destination Unknown
Exemption code C43
NOC 99999
Intended occupation Open
Duration

Minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 3 years

Validity should be determined based on the instructions below.

Processing fees
  • work permit processing fee
  • open work permit holder fee
  • biometric fee (if applicable)

See Fee schedule for amounts.

Biometrics Required unless an exemption exists. For example, see the 1 in 10 rule under subsection R12.7(1).

Determining the PGWP validity

A work permit in the post-graduation category may be issued for a minimum of 8 months up to a maximum of 3 years.

When determining the length of a PGWP, officers may consider the duration of the program of study in Canada and confirm it with supporting documents. Regularly scheduled breaks (for example, scheduled winter and summer breaks) should be included in the time that counts toward the total validity period.

Passport validity

The validity period may not go beyond the applicant’s passport validity date. If the applicant’s passport expires before the validity period allowed, based on the length of the applicant’s eligible program(s), the officer should note this reason in the User remarks field in the GCMS.

If this notation exists in the User remarks field or in the Notes tab, the applicant may apply for a work permit extension upon the renewal of their passport to receive the full validity of their PGWP.

PGWPs can be extended only when the length of the permit could not be provided at the time of the application, due to the expiry date of the applicant’s passport.

Important: If the officer notes that the duration of studies was shorter than the duration of the program, as indicated in the letter confirming the completion of the program of study, and the program was not completed in an accelerated form, the PGWP may be issued in accordance with the duration of studies. For example, if the applicant undertook classes for a period of 12 months, not in an accelerated form, but their classes were part of a 2-year program, the PGWP may be issued for 12 months, in accordance with the duration of their studies.

Note: For information about labour disruptions and strikes, see Applicants impacted by a DLI strike.

Program length

Starting February 15, 2024, students who have graduated from a master’s degree program, even if it is less than 2 years, are eligible for a 3-year PGWP if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Length of the program(s) including Quebec vocational programs (diploma of college studies [DCS] or attestation of collegial studies [ACS]) Length of Quebec vocational programs with a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) or attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) Maximum validity period
The length of the program of study is at least 8 months, but less than 2 years. The length of the vocational program of study is at least 900 hours, but less than 1,800 hours.

The length of the work permit should coincide with the length of the program, as confirmed by the eligible DLI in the written confirmation of program completion (such as an official letter of completion or transcript).

Regularly scheduled breaks (for example, regularly scheduled winter and summer breaks) should not be subtracted from the length of the PGWP.

Note: For graduates with a DVS or AVS, a prorated calculation may be performed to determine the work permit length. Each additional 112 hours of an authorized program of study provides the applicant with an additional 1 month of work permit validity. Officers should round up to the next full month.

Note: Officers may issue 3 year PGWPs to individuals who complete a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada when the eligible DLI has confirmed in the written confirmation of program completion that the degree is 16 to 23 months in duration and does not include regularly scheduled breaks.

Note: effective February 15, 2024, for applications received on or after February 15, 2024: Officers may issue a 3-year PGWP to individuals who graduated from a degree­granting master’s level program, that is less than two years and delivered by a PGWP-eligible DLI in Canada. Certificate and diploma programs at the graduate level are excluded from this measure.

The program of study is 2 years or longer. The vocational program of study is 1,800 hours or longer.

If the length of the program is confirmed by the eligible DLI in the written confirmation of program completion (such as the official letter or transcript), the length of the work permit should be 3 years.

Regularly scheduled breaks (for example, regularly scheduled winter and summer breaks) should not be subtracted from the length of the PGWP.

The student completed more than one program from an eligible DLI within 2 years.

Note: Each program of study must meet all the eligibility requirements of the PGWP Program and be at least 8 months in duration.

The student completed more than one DVS or a DVS and an AVS from an eligible DLI within 2 years.

The DVS program must be at least 900 hours in duration. The AVS program can be less than 900 hours in duration if submitted in combination with a DVS.

The length of the work permit should be the combined length of the 2 programs.

If the combined length of the programs is 2 years or longer (or 1,800 hours or longer for a combination of a DVS with an AVS in Quebec), the work permit may be valid for up to 3 years provided that the DVS program in Quebec is at least 900 hours in duration.

Accelerated studies

If the applicant completed their studies in less time than the normal length of the program (that is, they have accelerated their studies), the PGWP should be assessed on the length of the program, not the length of studies.

For example, if the student is enrolled in a program of study that is normally 1 year in duration, but the student completes the requirements of the program of study within 8 months, they may be eligible for a PGWP that is valid for 1 year.

Determining the validity period in light of distance or online learning

If less than 50% of the program of study’s total courses are completed by distance learning the validity period should be based on the length of the program, as confirmed by the eligible DLI, including credits earned from both in-class and distance-learning courses.

If the distance-learning courses are completed while the applicant is outside Canada, those courses must be excluded from the time that counts toward the length of the PGWP.

Note: If a student spent time studying at a DLI while outside Canada, that time begins to count toward the length of the PGWP only after the department receives the study permit application. As such, time that the student spent studying before IRCC received the study permit application should be deducted from the length of the PGWP. Note that a PGWP is issued for a minimum of 8 months. Therefore, if a student completes only 7 months of studies after their study permit application is received, they are not eligible for a PGWP. Students are encouraged to apply for their study permits before starting their studies.

Refusals

If an officer is not satisfied that all the requirements of section R200, including the assessment under subparagraph R205(c)(ii), are met, they must record their reasons and outline the rationale underlying the decision, as well as the facts and elements considered. They must also provide an explanation for the decision in a case note.

Refusal reasons should clearly indicate which criteria or what requirement of section R200 was not met and explain how the conclusion was reached. For assistance, officers can follow the steps in Decision making: Standard of review and process for making a reasonable decision.

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Family members of post-graduation work permit holders

Spouses and common-law partners of post-graduation work permit holders may be eligible to apply for an open work permit as a family member of a work permit holder.

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