Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Eligibility Explained

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) lets international students who finish an eligible program in Canada stay and work after they graduate. It is an open work permit, which means you can usually work for almost any employer, in almost any location, and gain the Canadian work experience that can later help you apply for permanent residence. The rules changed in late 2024 and again in 2025, so PGWP eligibility now depends on more than just finishing your studies. This guide explains what the permit is, who qualifies, how long it lasts, how to apply, and how it can lead to permanent residence. Always confirm the current rules on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages linked at the end, because requirements change.

What the PGWP is

A PGWP is a temporary, open work permit for graduates of certain Canadian programs. Because it is open, you are generally not tied to one employer, unlike many other work permits. Most graduates use this time to build skilled Canadian work experience that counts toward permanent residence programs. You can hold only one PGWP in your lifetime, so it is important to apply at the right time and meet every condition. The PGWP builds directly on your study permit journey, so understanding both stages together helps you plan ahead.

Who is eligible

To qualify for a PGWP, IRCC requires that you meet several core conditions. The main ones are:

• Eligible program at a PGWP-eligible DLI. You must have completed a program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI) whose programs are PGWP-eligible. The program must have been at least eight months long (or 900 hours for some Quebec programs).
• Full-time status. You must have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of your program, with limited exceptions such as your final session or an approved leave.
• Valid status and confirmation of completion. You must have received confirmation that you completed your program, and your study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180 days after completion.
• Field of study requirement (for some applicants). If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, and you are in a non-degree program, your field of study must be on the eligible list linked to occupations in long-term shortage. There is no field of study requirement for bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree graduates.
• Language requirement (for most applicants). As of November 1, 2024, most applicants must prove their English or French ability. University degree graduates (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) need a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7, while college and other graduates need CLB 5, in all four skills.

The field of study rule, explained

The field of study requirement is one of the newest changes and causes the most confusion. It applies only to people in non-degree programs who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024. Degree graduates are exempt. IRCC updated the eligible list on June 25, 2025 to reflect 2025 Express Entry priorities, adding new fields in areas such as health care, education, and trades, and removing others. If you applied for your study permit before June 25, 2025, you remain eligible if your field was on the list at the time you applied, even if it was later removed. Always check the current eligible fields and CIP codes on the IRCC website before you rely on them.

How long a PGWP lasts

A PGWP can be valid for anywhere between eight months and up to three years. The length generally matches the length of your study program, so a nine-month program may lead to a permit of up to nine months. Programs that are at least two years long can lead to a three-year permit. Graduates of a master's degree program that was at least eight months long may receive a three-year permit even if the program itself was shorter than two years. Your permit cannot be valid longer than your passport, so make sure your passport is valid well into the future before you apply.

How and when to apply

You must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of getting written confirmation that you completed your program, such as a transcript or an official completion letter. Most people apply online. The general steps are:

• Get written confirmation that you completed your program of study.
• Gather your documents, including proof of completion, transcripts, and your language test results if required.
• Confirm you meet the field of study requirement if it applies to you.
• Create an account, complete the application, pay the fees, and submit before the 180-day deadline.
• Give biometrics if requested.

If you apply from inside Canada while your study permit is still valid, you may be able to work full-time while your PGWP application is being processed, provided you meet the conditions. Confirm the current rules on the IRCC apply page before you start working.

How the PGWP leads to permanent residence

The biggest value of a PGWP is the skilled Canadian work experience it lets you gain. Experience in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 can help you qualify for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class within Express Entry. The Canadian Experience Class generally requires at least one year (1,560 hours) of skilled work in the three years before you apply. Work you did as a full-time student does not count toward this requirement, but the qualifying work you do on your PGWP can. This is why many graduates treat the PGWP as a bridge from studying to permanent residence.

Quick checklist

• Confirm your DLI and program are PGWP-eligible.
• Make sure you kept full-time status during your studies.
• Check whether the field of study requirement applies to you.
• Take an approved language test if you need to meet the language requirement.
• Get written confirmation that you completed your program.
• Apply online within 180 days of completion.
• Keep your passport valid well into the future.

This article explains the process and is not immigration advice. For your specific situation, rely on the official IRCC pages below or a licensed representative.