Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

  • Alison Dawn
  • 2023-08-16
  • Views

The eligibility criteria for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in Canada: You must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Your program of study must have been at least 8 months long

The eligibility criteria for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in Canada:

  • You must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
  • Your program of study must have been at least 8 months long and led to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
  • You must have maintained full-time student status during your program of study.
  • You must have a valid study permit or have been approved for a study permit.
  • You must not have already received a PGWP.
  • You must not have studied English or French as a second language.
  • You must not have taken general interest or self-improvement courses.
  • You must not have participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by Global Affairs Canada.
  • You must not have had funding from Global Affairs Canada.
  • You must not have received the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada-Chile.
  • You must not have participated in the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchanges Program.
  • You must not have participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program.
  • You must not have completed the major part of your program of study through distance learning.
  • You must not have completed your program of study at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada.
  • You must not have completed a program from a private institution in 1 province or territory that was delivered through a curriculum licensing agreement with a PGWP-eligible public institution located in a different province or territory.

If you meet all of these criteria, you may be eligible for a PGWP. The length of your PGWP will depend on the length of your program of study:

  • If your program of study was 8 months to 2 years long, you will be eligible for a PGWP that is valid for up to 1 year.
  • If your program of study was 2 years to 3 years long, you will be eligible for a PGWP that is valid for up to 2 years.
  • If your program of study was 3 years or longer, you will be eligible for a PGWP that is valid for up to 3 years.

You can apply for a PGWP within 180 days of graduating from your program of study. The application process can take several months, so it is important to start the application process early.