Canada · study · guide
Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit: eligibility guide
This guide explains the requirements to get a work permit in Canada after you graduate from an eligible school.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 15 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-02. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html
Who can apply
To get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you must complete a program at an eligible designated learning institution (DLI). The program must be at least 8 months long, or 900 hours if it is a Quebec program.[1]
You must maintain full-time student status in Canada during every semester of your program.[2]
If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, you must graduate in an eligible field of study.[3]
If you transferred between DLIs, your total studies must still be at least 8 months long. If you transferred from a non-DLI to a DLI, you must spend at least 8 months at the DLI to qualify.[4][5]
Study location and format
If your lock-in date is between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program within Canada, either online or in class.[6]
If your lock-in date is on or after September 1, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program in class within Canada.[7]
Language requirements
If you graduated with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, or any other university program, you must prove your language skills. You need a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.[8]
If you graduated from any other college, polytechnic, or non-university program, you must prove your language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.[9]
Required documents
If you took an authorized leave during your studies, you must provide proof that your school approved this leave.[10]
If you graduated from certain Quebec schools, you must include a certificate or official document confirming you completed your program. You must also include an official letter from the school that confirms the program code and the length of the study program.[11][12]
Timing and fees
You must apply for your work permit within 180 days of getting confirmation that you completed your program.[13]
Your study permit must be valid at some point during those 180 days. If you stay in Canada and let your permit expire, you must pay extra fees to restore your status.[14][15]
Checklist
- Complete a program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec) at an eligible DLI[1]
- Maintain full-time student status during each semester[2]
- Apply within 180 days of completing your program[13]
- Ensure your study permit is valid at some point during the 180 days after completion[14]
- Get proof of authorized leave from your school if you took a break[10]
Questions people ask
How long must my study program be to get a PGWP?
Your program must be at least 8 months long, or 900 hours if you studied in Quebec.[1]
What language level do I need if I graduated from a university?
You must prove your skills with at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.[8]
What language level do I need if I graduated from a college?
You must prove your skills with at least CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.[9]
How much of my program can I study online?
If your lock-in date is between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program within Canada, either online or in class. If your lock-in date is on or after September 1, 2024, you must complete at least 50% of your program in class within Canada.[6][7]
How long do I have to apply for a PGWP after graduating?
You must apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program.[13]
What happens if my study permit expires before I apply?
Your study permit must be valid at some point during the 180 days after you complete your program. If you stay in Canada and let your permit expire, you must pay extra fees to restore your status.[14][15]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.