International students
What are the updated eligibility requirements for obtaining a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)?: 5 key updates

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) graduates will be affected by significant changes announced by the Canadian government, with new eligibility criteria taking effect on November 1, 2024. These changes aim to align the program more closely with labor market needs and address challenges in the international education sector. By adjusting the criteria, the government seeks to ensure that the Post-graduation work permit program (PGWP) continues to support Canada’s economic goals while managing the number of international graduates entering the workforce. The updated regulations are expected to impact students’ ability to transition from study to work in Canada, encouraging applicants to carefully review the revised requirements and plan their post-graduation strategies accordingly.

Here are the 5 key updates to PGWP eligibility:
Language proficiency requirement
All PGWP applicants must now demonstrate language proficiency:
- University graduates (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 or higher.
- College graduates must achieve a CLB/NCLC level 5 or higher.
- Applicants must submit valid language test results (less than 2 years old) as part of their post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application.
Field of study requirement
The field of study requirement varies based on the level of education:
- Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree graduates remain eligible for post-graduation work permit (PGWP) regardless of their field of study.
- College-level programs and other university programs (e.g., certificates or diplomas) must be in PGWP-eligible fields of study.
- IRCC has published a list of 966 eligible programs across five categories: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, STEM, trade, and transport

Program duration and completion
Existing requirements remain in place:
- The study program must be at least 8 months long.
- Applicants must have maintained full-time status during each semester, with some exceptions.
- The PGWP application must be submitted within 180 days of program completion.
In-person study requirement
Starting September 1, 2024, students must complete at least 50% of their program in-class in Canada to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
PGWP duration
The length of the PGWP depends on the program duration:
- Programs less than 2 years but at least 8 months: PGWP valid for up to the same length as the study program.
- Programs 2 years or more: PGWP valid for up to 3 years.
- Starting February 15, 2024, graduates from master’s degree programs of at least 8 months may be eligible for a 3-year PGWP.
These new eligibility criteria apply to students who submit their study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024. Current students and those who applied for a study permit before this date will only need to meet the new language proficiency requirement when applying for their PGWP.
