November 21, 2024

Understanding Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility in Canada: What You Need to Know

string(53) "https://www.bellissimolawgroup.com/author/lijing-cao/"

Posted by Lijing Cao - Bellissimo Law Group PC

Canada is a top destination for international students, offering a pathway to valuable work experience through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. However, eligibility for the PGWP is not automatic. Understanding the requirements and exemptions is crucial to ensure a smooth application process. In this article, we break down the eligibility criteria based on various factors, including your study program, location, and field of study.

  1. General Eligibility

To qualify for a PGWP, you must satisfy the following general requirements:

  • Completion of Study Program: You must have completed a study program at a designated learning institution (DLI).
  • Full-Time Student Status: You must have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program. Exceptions to this include:
    • Studying part-time during your final semester.
    • Taking an approved leave from your studies.
    • Switching to part-time studies between March 2020 and the fall semester in 2020 due to COVID-19.
  • Application Timing: You must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of graduating.
  • Valid Study Permit: Your study permit must have been valid at some point during those 180 days after you graduated.

II. Exceptions to Eligibility

You are not eligible for a PGWP if you:

  • Have already received a PGWP.
  • Studied English or French as a second language.
  • Took general interest or self-improvement courses.
  • Received funding or a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that requires you to return to your home country after graduation.
  • Completed over 50% of your study program through distance learning, unless due to COVID-19.
  • Completed a study program at a non-Canadian institution in Canada.
  • Completed a course or program at a DLI that is not PGWP-eligible. This includes programs delivered through public-private partnerships (P3s).

III. Eligibility Based on Study Program

 University Graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral Degrees):

  • Language Requirements: Prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language areas.
  • Program Length: If studying in Quebec, the program must be 900 hours or longer; outside Quebec, it must be 8 months or longer.
  • Field of Study: No specific field of study requirements.

 Graduates of Other University Programs

  • Language and Program Length Requirements: Identical to those for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree holders.
  • Field of Study Requirement:
    • For study permits submitted before 1 November 2024: No specific field requirement.
    • For study permits submitted on or after 1 November 2024: Must be in an eligible field tied to in-demand occupations.

 Graduates of College or Non-University Programs

  • Language Requirement: Minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language areas.
  • Program Length Requirement:
    • Quebec: Programs must be 900 hours or longer.
    • Outside Quebec: At least 8 months long.
  • Field of Study Requirement: Same as for other university graduates, with additional emphasis on eligible fields after 1 November 2024.

 Graduates from Flight Schools

  • Must meet one of the following:
    • Completed a flight training course at a DLI training centre and hold a Canadian commercial pilot’s license.
    • Hold or are obtaining an instructor’s rating with a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre.
  • Program Length Requirement: 8 months or 900 hours minimum.
  • Field of Study: No restrictions for flight school graduates.

IV. Field of Study Requirements (If Applicable)

For programs requiring field-specific eligibility, studies must align with long-term labor shortages in sectors[1] such as:

  • Agriculture and agri-food.
  • Healthcare.
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
  • Trades.
  • Transport.

If you have questions about your eligibility or need help preparing your application, please feel free to contact our office. This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified immigration practitioner.

Lijing Cao

Lijing’s practice encompasses a broad range of Canadian immigration matters, including all categories of work permit applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program, citizenship, labour market impact assessments, study permits, temporary resident permits, and sponsorship applications. She also advises entrepreneurs, business owners, international students and skilled workers on the options for permanent residence to Canada, including provincial nominee programs, Start-up Visa, Federal Skilled Worker, and Canadian Experience Class programs.

Lijing graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Hong Kong. She is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese. Prior to joining Bellissimo Law Group, Lijing worked as an associate lawyer at a boutique business immigration firm, where she provided advice to corporate clients to fulfill their workforce mobility and labour shortage needs.

Request a Consultation