Graduating from a Canadian school does not automatically make a student eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Eligibility depends on the specific program, study history, language results, field of study, study permit timeline and the 180-day application deadline.

A Canadian Credential Does Not Guarantee a PGWP

A post-graduation work permit is an open work permit available to eligible graduates of certain Canadian programs. Attending a designated learning institution is not enough by itself—the specific program must also qualify.

IRCC’s general requirements include:

• completing a PGWP-eligible program at an eligible DLI;
• studying for at least eight months, or 900 hours for certain Quebec programs;
• maintaining full-time status during each academic semester, except that the final semester may be part-time;
• applying within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion; and
• having held a valid study permit at some point during that 180-day period.

Special rules may apply to authorized leaves, accelerated programs and school transfers. Canada.ca

Language Requirements Depend on the Credential

Most applicants submitting a PGWP application on or after November 1, 2024 must provide an approved English or French test result.

Approved tests include CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. For IELTS General, CLB 7 requires 6.0 in each ability. CLB 5 requires Reading 4.0 and 5.0 in Writing, Listening and Speaking. Canada.ca

IRCC’s online checklist may label language results as “optional.” They are not optional when the language requirement applies to the applicant.

Who Must Meet the Field-of-Study Requirement?

Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree are currently exempt from the PGWP field-of-study requirement.

The requirement generally applies to graduates of other university programs and college, polytechnic or non-university programs if their study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024.

Eligibility is determined using the program’s six-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, not a broad marketing name such as Business, Technology or Health.

IRCC has announced that it will not add or remove eligible fields of study during 2026. Applicants must still examine the transitional rules associated with their study permit submission date. Canada.ca

How to Verify Your CIP Code

Ask the institution to confirm the program’s exact six-digit CIP code, then check it using IRCC’s official field-of-study search.

Keep records showing:

• the CIP code confirmed by the institution;
• the program and campus;
• enrolment and completion dates;
• the study permit submission date;
• the eligible list in effect at the relevant time; and
• the institution’s information about PGWP eligibility.

Applicants subject to the field requirement must upload their evidence under Client Information because the online checklist may not generate a separate field-of-study upload slot. Canada.ca

Calculating the 180-Day Deadline

Applicants have up to 180 days after graduation or official confirmation of completion to apply. Review the dates on the completion letter, final transcript and notice of final marks rather than relying only on the convocation date.

The 180-day PGWP window does not automatically provide 180 days of legal status in Canada. A study permit can expire on the date printed on the document or 90 days after early completion of studies, whichever comes first.

A student whose permit will expire before final marks are available may need to apply for a visitor record or leave Canada and apply from abroad. If the study permit has already expired, restoration of student status may be required with the PGWP application, and the applicant generally cannot work while waiting for approval. Canada.ca

Can You Work While the PGWP Is Processing?

Submitting a PGWP application does not authorize every graduate to begin working. IRCC permits full-time work while processing when the applicant:

• had a valid study permit when the PGWP application was submitted;
• completed the study program;
• was eligible to work off campus without a work permit; and
• did not exceed the permitted working hours while studying.

Applicants who do not meet these conditions must wait for the work permit. If IRCC refuses the application, authorized work must stop on the date the refusal is communicated. Canada.ca

Online Study, Leaves and P3 (Public–Private Partnership) Programs

For a program with a lock-in date on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program generally must be completed in class in Canada. Time studied online from outside Canada may be deducted from the PGWP’s length.

An unauthorized leave can jeopardize eligibility. If a leave of up to 150 days was authorized under the applicable rules, retain the institution’s written approval.

Programs delivered by private colleges through curriculum-licensing or public-private partnership arrangements are generally not PGWP-eligible, subject to limited transition exceptions. Confirm the delivery arrangement—not only the name of the public institution. Canada.ca

FAQ

Q1. Does a bachelor’s degree need an eligible CIP code?
No field-of-study requirement currently applies to bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees. Graduates must still meet the CLB/NCLC 7 and other PGWP requirements.

Q2. Is CLB 5 enough for every college graduate?
Not by itself. CLB/NCLC 5 addresses the language requirement. A graduate subject to the field requirement must also have an eligible CIP code.

Q3. Can I work if my study permit expired before I submitted my PGWP application?
Generally, the interim work conditions require a valid study permit on the PGWP submission date. Applicants needing restoration normally cannot work until the permit is approved.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. PGWP eligibility depends on the applicant’s study permit date, credential, CIP code, academic history, status and supporting evidence.