Canada · Study to PR
A temporary open work permit that lets eligible international graduates work in Canada after completing a qualifying program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution. Canadian work experience gained on a PGWP is commonly used later for permanent residence routes such as the Canadian Experience Class, but the PGWP itself is not permanent residence.
Status note. The PGWP is an active open work permit for eligible graduates of designated learning institutions. Eligibility changed as of 1 November 2024 for most applicants, including language proof and, for some programs, field-of-study rules.
Decision fit
Graduates who completed a PGWP-eligible program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec), maintained full-time study status each semester except the final semester, apply within 180 days of program completion, and meet language and any field-of-study rules that apply to their program level and application timing.
People who already received a PGWP, completed ineligible programs (such as ESL/FSL or many private curriculum-licensing arrangements), cannot meet language or field-of-study rules where required, or seek a digital-nomad or multi-entry remote-work visa unrelated to Canadian study.
Minimums
No hard age floor or ceiling is modeled.
Minimum: Not stated years
CLB/NCLC 7 for university degree streams; CLB/NCLC 5 for many college streams
As of 1 November 2024, most PGWP applicants must prove language ability. Bachelor's, master's, doctoral and other university program graduates generally need CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities; many college, polytechnic or non-university graduates need CLB/NCLC 5. Flight school graduates and applications submitted before 1 November 2024 are exempt from the new language rules.
Minimum: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Assessment: No
The completed program must be at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution and at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs). Bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates face different language and field-of-study rules than many college or non-degree programs.
Points: Not stated
Competition: Not stated
Medical exam: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Police certificate: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Costs
No settlement-fund table is published.
Outcomes
The PGWP is temporary. Qualifying Canadian skilled work experience gained while on a PGWP may support later permanent residence applications such as the Canadian Experience Class through Express Entry, subject to those programs' separate rules.
Work: Yes · Study: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Partner: Unknown — confirm with the official source · Children: Unknown — confirm with the official source
The PGWP sources do not establish citizenship eligibility.
Applicants generally have up to 180 days after confirmation of program completion to apply. Validity length depends on program level and duration and the passport expiry date: master's degrees of at least 8 months may receive up to 3 years; other programs under 2 years may match program length; programs of 2 years or more may receive up to 3 years.
Modeled: Unknown — confirm with the official source–Unknown — confirm with the official source months
Sources
Citations
"The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows students who have graduated from eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience."
Information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change. Confirm the linked official pages before acting.
