The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) lets international students who graduate from an eligible Canadian program stay and work for almost any employer. Every rule and fee on this page comes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages checked on September 30, 2026. It explains the rules; it is not immigration advice, and only IRCC decides an application. For a complicated history (status gaps, transfers, programs delivered by a private partner college), a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer can review the file.
What is a PGWP?
A PGWP is an open work permit for graduates of PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs). “Open” means it is not tied to one employer or job: no job offer and no Labour Market Impact Assessment are needed. IRCC is clear that graduating from a DLI “doesn’t automatically” make someone eligible; the school, the program, the student’s own record and, since November 1, 2024, language and sometimes field of study all matter.
The permit is also the main route to Canadian work experience for graduates who plan to stay. Skilled work done on a PGWP can count toward the Canadian Experience Class and many provincial nominee streams, which is why the permit’s length is worth planning around.
What are the PGWP requirements by program?
The requirements depend on the credential. The table below is the core of the November 2024 rules: which language level each program type needs and whether a field of study requirement applies.
How to read this table: find the row that matches the credential. The language level must be met in all 4 skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
| Program completed | Language requirement | Field of study requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree | CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all 4 skills | No field of study requirement |
| Other university program (not a degree) | CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all 4 skills | Eligible field of study if the study permit was applied for on or after November 1, 2024 |
| College, polytechnic or other non-university program | CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) in all 4 skills | Eligible field of study if the study permit was applied for on or after November 1, 2024 |
| PGWP-eligible flight school | No language requirement | No field of study requirement |
| Any program, PGWP applied for before November 1, 2024 | No language requirement | No field of study requirement |
Source: Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca (master's programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, college programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, degrees); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (distance learning); Post-graduation work permit: Field of study requirement - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to find your language level - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca (fees); Post-graduation work permit: After you apply - Canada.ca; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (restore student status); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (biometrics). In effect from November 1, 2024; checked September 30, 2026.
On top of these, every applicant must meet the general eligibility rules below. Flight school graduates must also hold a Canadian commercial pilot’s licence from a DLI flight training centre, or have or be getting an instructor’s rating with a flight instructor job offer from a DLI flight training centre.
Who is eligible for a PGWP?
A graduate meets IRCC’s general eligibility rules when all four of these are true:
- The program was long enough and PGWP-eligible. At least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec programs) at a DLI whose program appears as PGWP-eligible on the DLI list.
- Full-time status was kept. The student studied full-time in every semester; part-time is allowed in the final semester only.
- The deadline is met. The application goes in within 180 days of the school confirming the program is complete.
- The study permit was valid at some point during those 180 days after completing the program.
A worked example with hypothetical dates: a college sends a completion letter dated May 1, 2026. The last day to apply is October 28, 2026. Applying well before that date, while the study permit is still valid, also protects the right to keep working (covered below).
Who is not eligible. IRCC lists these cases: anyone who already received a PGWP; English or French as a second language programs; general interest or self-improvement courses; non-credit programs (except flight school); scholarships from Global Affairs Canada that require a return home; more than half of the program done by distance learning; programs at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada; and programs at a DLI or through a curriculum licensing agreement (a public-private partnership) that is not PGWP-eligible, with narrow exceptions for older start dates.
Distance learning. For students whose lock-in date (program start or study permit application, whichever came first) is on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program must be completed in class within Canada, and time studied outside Canada is deducted from the PGWP length.
How long is a PGWP valid?
A PGWP lasts up to 3 years, but only some programs earn the full length. The permit also cannot outlast the passport.
How to read this table: lengths are maximums. IRCC says it 'may give' these lengths; the officer sets the final expiry date.
| Program | PGWP length | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree, at least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec) | 3 years | Applies from February 15, 2024; not for certificate or diploma programs |
| Any program of 2 years or more | 3 years | Degree, diploma or certificate |
| At least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec) but under 2 years | Up to the length of the program | A 9-month program gives a PGWP of up to 9 months |
| 2 or more eligible programs | Combined length of the programs | Each program must be PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months, and each program's language requirement must be met |
| Any program, passport expires sooner | Until the passport expiry date | Extend on paper with a new passport; no new language test needed for that extension |
Source: Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca (master's programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, college programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, degrees); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (distance learning); Post-graduation work permit: Field of study requirement - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to find your language level - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca (fees); Post-graduation work permit: After you apply - Canada.ca; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (restore student status); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (biometrics). In effect from November 1, 2024; checked September 30, 2026.
Two hypothetical examples show how this works. A graduate of a 16-month college diploma is under the 2-year mark, so the PGWP can run up to 16 months. A graduate of a 12-month master’s degree is covered by the master’s rule from February 15, 2024 and can get a 3-year PGWP, even though the program was shorter than 2 years. The master’s rule does not apply to certificates or diplomas, including graduate certificates.
Accelerated programs count at their normal length: IRCC’s example is a 1-year program finished in 8 months, which can still give a 1-year PGWP. Students who transferred between DLIs need at least 8 months of total study; after a transfer from a non-DLI, only the time at the DLI counts.
What language test score does a PGWP need?
Since November 1, 2024, most applicants must include language test results with the PGWP application. Results must be less than 2 years old on the day the application is submitted, and all four skills must be tested. The table gives the lowest score IRCC accepts for each skill at CLB/NCLC 5 (college programs) and CLB/NCLC 7 (university programs).
How to read this table: each cell is the lowest score in IRCC's range for that level. A score must reach the level in every one of the 4 skills; one weak skill sets the level for the whole application.
| Test | Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | CLB 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CELPIP-General | CLB 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| IELTS General Training | CLB 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| IELTS General Training | CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| PTE Core | CLB 5 | 42 | 51 | 39 | 51 |
| PTE Core | CLB 7 | 60 | 69 | 60 | 68 |
| TEF Canada (taken after December 10, 2023) | NCLC 5 | 352 | 330 | 352 | 387 |
| TEF Canada (taken after December 10, 2023) | NCLC 7 | 434 | 428 | 434 | 456 |
| TCF Canada | NCLC 5 | 375 | 6 (out of 20) | 369 | 6 (out of 20) |
| TCF Canada | NCLC 7 | 453 | 10 (out of 20) | 458 | 10 (out of 20) |
Source: Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca (master's programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, college programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, degrees); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (distance learning); Post-graduation work permit: Field of study requirement - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to find your language level - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca (fees); Post-graduation work permit: After you apply - Canada.ca; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (restore student status); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (biometrics). In effect from November 1, 2024; checked September 30, 2026.
IRCC names specific test versions: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. A student with IELTS Academic results from school admission should check the version before relying on them. The IELTS to CLB conversion chart covers CLB 4 to 10 for these tests as IRCC uses them for Express Entry, which helps when planning ahead, where higher scores earn more points.
The online document checklist shows proof of language as “optional”. IRCC warns that it must still be uploaded whenever the program has a language requirement.
Which fields of study are eligible for a PGWP?
The field of study requirement applies only to graduates of college, polytechnic and non-degree university programs who applied for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024. Their program must be linked to occupations in long-term shortage, identified by its 6-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. IRCC’s list groups eligible codes into six categories:
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Education
- Healthcare and social services
- Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
- Trade
- Transport
The CIP code must be on IRCC’s list of currently eligible codes either when the study permit application was submitted or when the PGWP application is submitted. For 2026, IRCC says it “won’t add or remove any eligible fields of study”, so a program eligible today stays eligible through the year. Most schools publish each program’s CIP code and PGWP eligibility on their website; if not, the school can confirm it.
Because of a system limit, IRCC’s online checklist does not ask for field of study proof. It has to be uploaded in the “Client information” section of the application.
How much does a PGWP cost?
The IRCC fee for a PGWP is $255 per person. It is made of two fees that must both be paid at the end of the online application.
How to read this table: the total PGWP fee row is the work permit fee plus the open work permit holder fee, not an extra charge.
| Fee | Amount (CAD) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit fee | $155 | Every PGWP application (per person) |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 | Every PGWP application, because a PGWP is an open work permit |
| Total PGWP fee | $255 | The amount IRCC's PGWP page calls the correct fee |
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 | Only if biometrics are required (depends on citizenship); pay when submitting, or processing may be delayed |
| Restore your status as a student | $246.25 | Only if the study permit expired before applying (within 90 days), added to the PGWP fee |
Source: Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: About the PGWP - Canada.ca (master's programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, college programs); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (language, degrees); Post-graduation work permit: Who can apply - Canada.ca (distance learning); Post-graduation work permit: Field of study requirement - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to find your language level - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: Get the right documents - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca; Post-graduation work permit: How to apply - Canada.ca (fees); Post-graduation work permit: After you apply - Canada.ca; Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (work permits); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (restore student status); Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list - IRCC (biometrics). In effect from November 1, 2024; checked September 30, 2026.
For a hypothetical graduate who also has to give biometrics, the IRCC total is $340. A graduate whose study permit already expired and who restores status in the same application pays $501.25, before any biometrics. Language tests, medical exams, police certificates and visa application centre services are paid to those providers directly. IRCC accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB credit or prepaid cards, Visa Debit, and Interac Online debit cards from Canadian banks.
How do you apply for a PGWP?
Most applicants must apply online through an IRCC secure account. The steps below follow IRCC’s online instructions:
- Gather documents. Proof of completion (degree, diploma or certificate, an official letter from the school, or an official transcript), proof of full-time enrolment (an official transcript), language test results, field of study proof if required, and a passport valid for the full PGWP length if possible.
- Read the instruction guide. Guide 5580 for applications from inside Canada, or guide 5487 for applications from outside Canada.
- Answer the questionnaire. In the IRCC account, choose the option for applicants without a Personal Reference Code, then “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit”. The answers build a personal document checklist.
- Upload the documents. Add language results even though the checklist marks them optional, and put field of study proof under “Client information”.
- Pay the fees. Pay both the work permit fee and the open work permit holder fee, plus biometrics if required.
- Submit and keep the confirmation. The submission confirmation shows the application date, which matters for working while waiting.
Paper applications are only for people who cannot apply online because of a disability or a problem with the online system. Graduates who want to work in jobs that require a medical exam (for example in health care, child care or schools) can include an upfront medical exam; otherwise the PGWP may carry a condition that blocks those jobs until a paper request removes it.
What is the PGWP processing time?
IRCC does not print a fixed PGWP processing time on its program pages. Current estimates are in IRCC’s “Check processing times” tool on canada.ca, which shows separate figures for work permits applied for inside Canada and from abroad (by country). Those estimates are updated regularly, so any number copied onto a website ages quickly; check the tool on the day of applying and again while waiting.
In practice the wait is easier for graduates in Canada who apply on time. IRCC says an applicant can work full-time until a decision if the study permit was valid when the application went in, the program was completed, and the student was allowed to work off campus while studying without exceeding the permitted hours. People who received the “WP-EXT for PGWP (IMM 0127 E)” letter can keep working even after the letter’s own validity date passes. Leaving Canada and coming back does not end that right, but a valid visitor visa or eTA is still needed to re-enter.
Graduates who apply from abroad cannot work in Canada until the PGWP is approved. IRCC issues them a new visitor visa or eTA with the approval.
What should a graduate do if the study permit is about to expire?
Timing is the biggest risk around graduation, because final marks can arrive after the study permit ends. IRCC gives two options before expiry: apply for a visitor record to stay longer as a visitor, or leave Canada and apply for the PGWP from abroad. Applying for the PGWP while the study permit is still valid is the cleanest route, since it also keeps the right to work.
If the permit has already expired and nothing was done, the graduate has up to 90 days to apply for the PGWP and restore student status in one online application, paying the restoration fee on top of the PGWP fee and attaching the receipt. There is no right to work in the meantime. After 90 days, IRCC says the person must leave Canada.
What are the most common PGWP mistakes?
- Missing the 180-day window. The clock starts when the school confirms completion, not at convocation.
- Letting the study permit lapse. It removes the right to work while waiting and can mean paying the restoration fee.
- Paying only $155. A PGWP needs both the work permit fee and the open work permit holder fee.
- Leaving out language results because the checklist says “optional”, or sending results older than 2 years.
- Taking the wrong test version, such as IELTS Academic instead of General Training.
- Uploading field of study proof in the wrong place. It belongs in “Client information”.
- Applying with a passport that expires soon. The PGWP stops at the passport’s expiry date and the fix is a paper extension later.
- Assuming a second program means a second PGWP. A PGWP is available only once.
What comes after the PGWP?
A PGWP cannot be renewed, so the time on it is the window to build Canadian work experience and move toward permanent residence. Common next steps:
- Estimate an Express Entry score early. The CRS calculator shows how Canadian work experience, a Canadian credential and higher language scores change the total.
- Check provincial options. Several provinces run streams for international graduates; the OINP draws tracker follows Ontario’s.
- Bring a partner. Once the PGWP is approved, a spouse or common-law partner may qualify for a spousal open work permit.
- Set up to work. A new job needs a Social Insurance Number; the SIN application steps cover how to get or update one with the new permit.
- Plan for the gap. Graduates who apply for permanent residence before the PGWP ends may be able to use a bridging open work permit to keep working while it is processed.