International students studying in Canada look forward to work opportunities after the completion of their studies. Canada’s post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows students who have graduated from eligible schools to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

However, merely graduating from a Designated learning institution (DLI) doesn’t automatically make you eligible for a PGWP. You should check the DLI list to find out which schools have eligible programs.

As of November 1, 2024, the eligibility requirements for a PGWP changed. If you submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, or are a flight school graduate, you’re exempt from the new requirements.

Eligibility for PGWP

To be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you must meet all eligibility requirements.

General Eligibility

You meet the general eligibility requirement to apply for a PGWP if you completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs) and you maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program. You may study part-time during your final semester.

But, you must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study. Your study permit should be valid at some point during the 180 days after you graduate and before you submit your PGWP application. You are not eligible for a PGWP if you studied English or French as a second language.

Eligibility requirements based on the study program

  • graduates with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree
  • graduates of any other university program
  • graduates from any other college, polytechnic or non-university program
  • graduates from a flight school
  • Eligibility requirements based on physical location
  • inside Canada graduates
  • outside Canada graduates

Field of study requirements (if applicable)

As of November 1, 2024, if your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 6 broad categories like agriculture and agri-food, education, health care, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trade and transport.

You don’t need to meet the field of study requirement if one of the following applies to you:

  • You submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, regardless of level of study.
  • You graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school.
  • You graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree.
  • You applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024.