Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows international students who have graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary program to work for almost any employer in Canada without needing a job offer. It is one of the most direct ways to gain Canadian work experience after your studies, and that experience can strengthen a future application for permanent residence through programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.

IRCC has made significant changes to PGWP eligibility since November 2024, including new language test requirements and field-of-study rules for non-degree graduates. This page reflects the rules as of June 2026.

What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

The PGWP is an open work permit issued under the International Mobility Program. Because it is an open permit, you can work for almost any employer in Canada in almost any occupation without your employer needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). You do not need a job offer in hand before you apply.

The permit is valid for up to three years, depending on the length of your study program. You can only receive a PGWP once. If you return to school in Canada after already holding a PGWP, you cannot obtain a second one.

Who Is Eligible for a PGWP?

Eligibility for a PGWP depends on several factors: the institution you attended, the length of your program, how you completed your studies, and, for graduates of non-degree programs, the field you studied. The rules below apply to applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024.

Core Requirements

• Eligible institution: You must have graduated from a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Graduating from a DLI does not automatically make you eligible. The specific program at that DLI must also be eligible. Check the IRCC DLI list to confirm your school and program.
• Program length: Your program must have been at least 8 months long (or at least 900 hours for certain Quebec vocational programs). Programs shorter than 8 months do not qualify.
• Full-time student status: You must have maintained full-time student status throughout every academic session in Canada. Part-time study is allowed only in your final semester, or if your school authorized a leave of up to 150 days during your studies.
• Valid status at time of application: Your study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180 days before you apply for your PGWP.
• Not a previous PGWP holder: You can receive a PGWP only once in your lifetime.

Language Requirement

Most applicants must now submit language test results with their PGWP application. The required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level depends on the credential you received:

• Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree: CLB 7 in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
• College diplomas, certificates, and other non-university programs: CLB 5 in all four skills.

Accepted tests include CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada. Graduates of PGWP-eligible flight schools are exempt from the language requirement. Applicants who submitted their PGWP application before November 1, 2024, are also not subject to this requirement.

Field of Study Requirement (Non-Degree Programs)

If you graduated from a program below the bachelor's level, such as a college diploma or certificate, your program must appear on IRCC's list of approved Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes to be eligible for a PGWP. This rule applies to students who submitted their study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, and who are not enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program.

The approved programs are largely concentrated in sectors with long-term labour shortages, including healthcare and social services, education, skilled trades, agriculture, STEM, and transportation. As of January 2026, IRCC confirmed that the eligible field-of-study list will remain frozen throughout 2026 with no additions or removals. The current list includes 1,107 approved programs. You can verify whether your program's CIP code is on the eligible list on the IRCC PGWP eligibility page.

Students in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program are exempt from the field-of-study requirement.

Situations That Affect Eligibility

• Distance learning: Time spent studying online from outside Canada does not count toward the length of your PGWP. If more than 50% of your program was completed through distance learning from abroad, you will generally not be eligible.
• Curriculum-licensing (public-private partnership) programs: Programs at private colleges operating under a curriculum-licensing agreement with a public college are generally not PGWP-eligible, with limited exceptions depending on when enrollment began.
• Global Affairs Canada (GAC) scholarship funding: If your studies were funded by a GAC scholarship or fellowship, you are not eligible for a PGWP.
• Language or general interest programs: Programs consisting solely of English or French as a second language, or general interest or self-improvement courses, do not qualify.
• Overseas study components: Only time spent studying in Canada counts toward the length of your PGWP. If part of your program was completed outside Canada, that portion is deducted.

Quebec Programs

Graduates of vocational programs in Quebec can qualify for a PGWP if their program was at least 900 hours long and resulted in a diplome d'etudes professionnelles (DVS) or an attestation de specialisation professionnelle (AVS). CEGEP graduates and graduates of Quebec private schools that operate under the same rules as public institutions are also eligible if other conditions are met. Quebec-specific criteria differ slightly from the rest of Canada, so confirm your program qualifies before applying.

How Long Is a PGWP Valid?

The length of your PGWP is tied to the length of your study program in Canada. IRCC applies the following rules:

• Program less than 8 months: Not eligible for a PGWP.
• Program between 8 months and less than 2 years: PGWP is valid for the same length as your program. A 10-month program results in a 10-month PGWP.
• Master's program less than 2 years: PGWP is valid for 3 years, provided all other eligibility criteria are met. This rule was updated in 2024.
• Program of 2 years or more: PGWP is valid for 3 years.

Combining Programs (Program Stacking)

If you completed more than one eligible program in Canada consecutively, you may be able to combine them to qualify for a longer PGWP. Each program must be at least 8 months long and from a PGWP-eligible DLI. The combined length determines the PGWP duration, following the same rules above. If there was a significant gap between your programs, they may not qualify for stacking. An RCIC consultation can help you determine whether your programs can be combined.

Application Deadline: When to Apply for Your PGWP

You must submit your PGWP application within 180 days of receiving written confirmation that you have completed your program. This confirmation is typically your official transcript or a completion letter from your institution. The 180-day clock starts from the date you receive that document, not from your graduation ceremony or the date your grades are posted.

Missing the 180-day deadline will make you ineligible for a PGWP, with no exceptions. Because some institutions take several weeks to issue official completion letters, you should request yours as soon as your final grades are confirmed.

Applying from Inside Canada

If you are still in Canada when you apply, you need a valid study permit at the time of submission, or your study permit must have been valid within the past 180 days. If you submit your application before your study permit expires, you will receive implied status, which allows you to continue working full-time under the same conditions as your previous study permit while IRCC processes your PGWP. This means you can keep working for your current employer during the wait, as long as your study permit authorized work.

If your study permit has already expired but the expiry happened within the last 180 days, you can still apply, but you will not have implied status and should not work until your PGWP is issued.

Applying from Outside Canada

The same 180-day deadline applies if you have already left Canada. You can apply from abroad with the same documents. Processing from outside Canada takes longer, typically 4 to 7 months, because your application goes through a visa office assessment. If you need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to re-enter Canada, that will also be processed at the same time.

Required Documents for a PGWP Application

Before you apply, gather the following documents. Incomplete applications are one of the main reasons for processing delays or refusals.

• Valid passport: Must cover the full duration of the PGWP you are requesting. If your passport expires before the work permit would end, IRCC will issue a shorter permit.
• Official transcript or completion letter: An official document from your DLI confirming that you have met all requirements to complete your program. Both documents together strengthen your application.
• Proof of full-time enrollment: Evidence that you studied full-time throughout your program, except in your final semester.
• Language test results: Required for most applicants who submit on or after November 1, 2024. Results must be valid on the date you submit your application. Language test results are typically valid for two years from the test date.
• Study permit or proof of authorized status: A copy of your valid study permit, or evidence that your permit was valid within the 180-day window.
• Application form IMM 5710 (or as directed by IRCC at the time of your application).
• Application fee payment confirmation.
• Biometrics (if required): Some applicants need to provide fingerprints and a photo. If you have provided biometrics in the past and they are still valid, you may not need to provide them again.

If any of your documents are not in English or French, include a certified translation with a sworn translator affidavit and a copy of the original.

How to Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit

All PGWP applications must be submitted online through your IRCC secure account. Paper applications are no longer accepted for most applicants.

1. Confirm your eligibility. Check your DLI and program against the IRCC eligibility criteria, including the field-of-study list if you graduated from a non-degree program. Confirm your language test results meet the required CLB level for your credential.
2. Collect your documents. Request your official transcript and completion letter from your institution as soon as your grades are finalized. Do not wait for convocation.
3. Create or log in to your IRCC account. Use your existing account if you have one, or create a new one at canada.ca.
4. Complete the application form. Fill out IMM 5710 and all required schedules. Ensure every field matches your supporting documents exactly.
5. Pay the application fee. Confirm the current fee on the IRCC fees page before submitting, as fees are subject to change.
6. Upload your documents and submit. Review every document before uploading. Blurry scans or missing pages are a common cause of delays.
7. Monitor your application. Check your IRCC account regularly for messages, additional document requests, or biometrics requests. Respond promptly to avoid further delays.

How Much Does a PGWP Cost?

The fees for a PGWP application include the work permit processing fee and, in most cases, the open work permit holder fee. Additional costs may apply for biometrics if you have not provided them recently. If you need to restore your temporary resident status before applying, a separate restoration fee also applies.

Because IRCC adjusts fees periodically, confirm the exact amounts on the official IRCC fee schedule at the time you apply. Fees paid at submission are generally non-refundable even if the application is refused.

PGWP Processing Times in 2026

IRCC does not publish a single fixed service standard for PGWP applications. As of mid-2026, online applications submitted from inside Canada are taking approximately 90 to 180 days. Applications submitted from outside Canada, or paper-based applications, are taking approximately 4 to 7 months.

Processing times are affected by several factors:

• Application channel: Online applications submitted from inside Canada are processed faster than paper applications or applications submitted from abroad.
• Completeness: Applications missing documents, including language test results that are now required, are flagged for additional review and take longer.
• Program eligibility review: If your program's eligibility under the field-of-study rules is unclear, your file may be set aside while IRCC verifies the CIP code with your institution.
• Overall application volume: PGWP processing slows when large graduating cohorts apply in the same window.

To check the current published processing times, use the IRCC processing time tool and select "Work permit" as the application type. If your application has been pending significantly longer than the posted time, you can request GCMS Notes to see what is in your file and whether an officer has flagged an issue.

What to Do After Your PGWP Is Approved

Once your PGWP is issued, you can work full-time for almost any employer in Canada. Use this period strategically, because the work experience you build now is the foundation for your path to permanent residence.

Building Canadian Work Experience for PR

Most permanent residence programs that PGWP holders use require at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience. The most common pathway is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. To qualify for CEC, your work experience must be in an occupation at TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 under Canada's National Occupational Classification system. You also need to meet a minimum CLB language threshold, which varies by TEER level.

CRS points under Express Entry are awarded for factors including your age, education, language scores, and Canadian work experience. The sooner you accumulate 12 months of eligible experience, the sooner you can enter the pool and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Other pathways available to PGWP holders include the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), specifically the Ontario Graduate Stream and the Ontario Express Entry Stream, which can add 600 CRS points to your profile if you receive a nomination.

Bridging Open Work Permit When Your PGWP Is About to Expire

If you have applied for permanent residence through Express Entry and your PGWP is approaching its expiry date, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). A BOWP allows you to keep working in Canada while your PR application is being processed, without interruption to your employment. You can apply for a BOWP as soon as you receive your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for your PR application and your PGWP has less than 180 days of validity remaining.