International students in Canada often seek work opportunities after completing their studies. The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) provides a pathway for graduates from eligible institutions to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Graduating from a designated learning institution (DLI) does not automatically grant eligibility for a PGWP. It is important to verify the DLI list to determine which institutions offer programs that meet the requirements.
Changes to the PGWP eligibility criteria took effect on November 1, 2024. Those who submitted applications before this date or completed studies at a flight school are not subject to the updated requirements.
To qualify for a PGWP, graduates must have completed a program at an eligible DLI that lasted at least eight months or 900 hours for Quebec programs. Maintaining full-time student status throughout the program is required, except for the final semester, where part-time study is permitted. Applications must be submitted within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion, and the study permit must have been valid at some point during this period. Programs focused on learning English or French as a second language do not qualify for a PGWP.
Eligibility also depends on the type of study program completed. Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree meet the requirements, as do those who have completed other university programs, college or polytechnic programs, or flight school training. Physical location may also impact eligibility, as different conditions apply to those who studied inside or outside Canada.
For programs with a field of study requirement, eligibility is tied to areas experiencing long-term labor shortages. These fields include agriculture and agri-food, education, health care, STEM disciplines, trade, and transport. Certain exceptions apply, including those who submitted a PGWP application before November 1, 2024, graduates from an eligible flight school, individuals with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, and those who applied for a study permit before the eligibility changes took effect.
