Extension of post-graduation work permit
From 15 February 2024, international students studying Master’s courses of less than two years will be eligible for a three-year post-graduate work permit (PGWP). In the past, the length of the PGWP permit issued was linked to the length of the study period. But due to the importance of the good performance of master’s students in the Canadian labor market, the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Agency (IRCC) extends the work permit period after master’s education to 3 years. The duration of PGWP for students in educational programs other than master’s level, depending on the level and duration of the training course, is a maximum of three years. Designated Educational Institutions (DLIs) and eligible for the PGWP – Only schools in Canada that are allowed to accept international students and have a minimum course duration of two years are eligible for the PGWP.
In the coming weeks, IRCC will also revise the spousal work permit rules for international undergraduate students. This means that only spouses of master’s and doctoral students will be eligible for a spouse’s work permit. This change will have no effect on spousal work permits for spouses or partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
What are the eligibility criteria for extension of post-graduation work permit?
To be eligible for a post-graduate work permit, international students must:
- Have completed their studies in an academic, technical or professional training course lasting at least eight months at a qualified DLI training institution.
- have studied in a course that led to receiving a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Have full-time student status in Canada during the course of study completed, which must be provided in the PGWP application documents (with certain exceptions permitted).
- Have received an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the applicant is eligible to complete their study program (which must be included in the PGWP application documents).
Graduated from a public post-secondary institution such as:
- College;
- Business or technical school;
- University;
- CEGEP (in Quebec);
- A private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec.
- Private high school or high school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or more. which leads to the issuance of a Diploma of Professional (DEP) or Certificate of Specialized Professional (ASP).
- A Canadian private school that can issue degrees according to provincial laws. (e.g. associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate) but only if the student is enrolled in a program of study leading to a provincially approved degree.
Each of these educational institutions must be DLI.
Note: From September 2024, students taking courses under a curriculum licensing framework where a private college has been licensed to offer a course by a related public college will no longer be eligible to apply for the PGWP.
