PGWP-eligible programs in Canada must be at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with PGWP status, full-time, primarily in-person, and at least 8 months long. Additionally, for most non-degree programs, your studies must align with an eligible field of study, and all applicants must meet minimum language proficiency requirements. Use this checklist before you apply.
Note: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules can change. Always confirm current requirements with IRCC before you accept an offer. This guide is for planning only.
PGWP Eligibility Checklist
A program is PGWP-eligible if it meets every item below. Missing even one means you will not qualify, so check each row carefully.
Find PGWP-Eligible Programs
Search programs at Designated Learning Institutions that qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Understanding PGWP: Your One-Time Opportunity
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit. It lets you work for any employer, in any role, anywhere in Canada after you graduate.
You can only receive a PGWP once in your lifetime. Without it, you cannot legally work in Canada after graduation, which makes it much harder to build the Canadian work experience that supports a permanent residence application.
What Makes a Program PGWP-Eligible?
A program qualifies for PGWP if it is at a DLI with PGWP status, runs full-time for at least 8 months, is delivered mostly in person, maps to an eligible field of study (if non-degree), and leads to a recognized degree, diploma, or certificate. The details below explain each part.
Institution Type
Warning! Many private colleges and standard public college programs do not qualify for PGWP under current field-of-study rules. Always check the IRCC DLI list and active CIP codes before you enroll.
Study Mode
Your program must be full-time and mostly delivered in person. For students applying, you must complete at least 50% of your program in class in Canada. Time spent outside Canada after your program lock-in date is deducted from your permit length. Part-time study generally does not count toward PGWP eligibility.
Consecutive Programs Strategy
You can combine two or more eligible programs at the same DLI to qualify for a longer PGWP, up to the 3-year maximum. You must tell IRCC before starting your second program and keep your enrollment continuous.
- Example: a 1-year certificate plus a 1-year diploma equals 2 years of study, which qualifies for a 3-year PGWP.
- This strategy only works if both individual programs meet eligibility rules and you have not yet applied for your first PGWP.
How PGWP Connects to Permanent Residence
PGWP matters for permanent residence (PR) because it lets you gain the Canadian work experience that Express Entry rewards. Express Entry is the main system Canada uses to select skilled workers for PR.
Under Express Entry, your work experience is matched to a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, a system Canada uses to define skill levels for jobs. Work experience gained on a PGWP, in a role that matches an eligible NOC skill level, can help you qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), one of the Express Entry programs.
Note: PGWP eligibility and PR eligibility are decided separately. Qualifying for a PGWP does not guarantee you will qualify for PR.
How to Verify PGWP Eligibility
Verify PGWP eligibility in four steps, before you accept an offer or pay any tuition deposit.
- Check the official IRCC DLI list. Visit the IRCC website and filter by province and institution name.
- Look for "Offers PGWP-eligible programs." A "Yes" at the institution level does not mean every program at that school is eligible.
- Confirm your specific program and field of study. Contact the school's International Student Office and ask for written confirmation that your exact program meets PGWP requirements and aligns with an approved 6-digit CIP code if it is a non-degree option.
- Check one final time before accepting. Eligibility rules can change, so confirm program status again right before you accept your offer or pay a deposit.
Get Help Verifying PGWP Eligibility
Talk to an ApplyBoard advisor about confirming your program's PGWP status before you apply.
Common Mistakes That Cost PGWP
PGWP for Second Programs
Warning! You only get one PGWP application in your lifetime. Plan your program length, field of study, and timing carefully before you apply.
Plan Your PGWP Strategy
Work with an ApplyBoard advisor to choose a program length and pathway that protects your PGWP eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
University degree programs (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) at eligible public institutions qualify regardless of field. College certificates and diplomas must be full-time, in-person, at least 8 months long, and must align with an IRCC-approved field of study linked to national labor shortages. Check the IRCC DLI list.
- Check the IRCC DLI list for your institution's PGWP status.
- Verify the program is at least 8 months, full-time, and in-person.
- Verify that your program's 6-digit CIP code matches an active, eligible field of study if you are pursuing a non-degree certificate or diploma program.
- Get written confirmation from the school's international student office.
Only specific private institutions on IRCC's approved list. Many do not qualify, and non-degree field of study restrictions still apply, so always verify on the IRCC DLI list before enrolling.
Only if you have not applied for a PGWP yet. You can combine consecutive eligible programs for one PGWP, up to 3 years. Once you apply, you cannot get another one, since it is a one-time benefit.
Part-time study generally does not qualify for PGWP. You must keep full-time enrollment, except possibly for your final term.
Generally no. For applications, you must complete at least 50% of your program in class in Canada. Time spent outside Canada after your program lock-in date is deducted from your overall permit length.
Yes. Most applicants must provide proof of English or French skills from an approved test (like IELTS or CELPIP). University degree graduates need at least CLB 7, while college diploma and certificate graduates need a minimum of CLB 5 in all four language areas.
Processing times change often. Check the official IRCC processing times page before you plan your work start date. Applications must be submitted online; flagpoling at the border is no longer allowed.
You may be able to keep working under maintained status while your application is in process, as long as you applied online before your study permit expired and meet all other standard conditions. Confirm your specific situation with IRCC.
You will receive a refusal letter explaining the reason. You may have limited options to fix the issue or reapply within your remaining 180-day window, so speak with an immigration advisor right away.
Ready to Choose Your PGWP-Eligible Program?
Choosing the right program protects your one chance at a PGWP and your future path toward permanent residence. Take your time, verify every detail, and lean on your ApplyBoard advisor for support.
Find PGWP-Eligible Programs in Canada
Use ApplyBoard to filter and apply to Designated Learning Institutions that qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.