Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applicants can improve their chances of approval by paying close attention to key rules that immigration officers use when reviewing applications.
Even when applicants already understand the basic PGWP rules, many still miss important details found in internal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidance. These details show what officers are trained to look for when deciding PGWP applications.
Key Factors That Affect PGWP Approval
You May Be Able To Apply Earlier Than Expected
IRCC’s public information says applicants have up to 180 days to apply for a PGWP after receiving written proof that they finished their program.
Internal guidance explains that “written proof” can include documents such as a degree, diploma, transcript, or an official letter from the school. The main requirement is that the document clearly confirms the program completion date.
This means some graduates may be able to apply for their PGWP sooner than they expected.
A Study Permit May Expire Earlier Than Many Think
To qualify for a PGWP, a study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180 days after program completion and before applying.
Many applicants miss that a study permit expires on the earlier of two dates:
- the expiry date printed on the permit, or
- 90 days after studies are completed.
Since IRCC recommends applying for a new permit at least 30 days before the current one expires, it is important to track the exact expiry date. This date may not always match what is printed on the permit.
Choosing The Wrong School Or Campus Can Cause Problems
Graduating from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) does not automatically make a student eligible for a PGWP. The school and program must both be PGWP-eligible.
A lesser-known issue is that eligibility checks rely on the exact campus or program code listed on the DLI list, not just the school’s name. This matters especially for schools with multiple campuses or partner programs.
Entering the wrong school name or DLI code can delay or harm an application. Applicants should make sure they choose the most accurate and specific option available.
Reasons a school may appear more than once on the DLI list include:
- having multiple campuses
- registering certain colleges as separate entities, especially in joint programs
Gaps In Full-Time Study Should Be Clearly Explained
PGWP rules require students to maintain full-time status throughout their studies, with one common exception allowing part-time study in the final term.
“Leave from studies” is a frequent issue. An unauthorized leave can lead to ineligibility, while an authorized leave must be supported by official school proof.
Officers may view situations such as repeating a final term or study interruptions due to strikes or natural disasters differently, but only if the application clearly explains what happened and why.
If there were any breaks in full-time study, applicants should include a short explanation and supporting documents from the school.
One Document Can Often Prove Several Requirements
Applicants must submit proof of program completion (degree, diploma, official letter, or transcript) and proof of full-time study (usually a transcript).
Internal guidance shows that officers use these same documents to check whether the applicant:
- completed the program
- followed full-time study rules or had approved exceptions
- met in-Canada or distance-learning limits
If one document clearly proves all required points, submitting extra documents may not be needed. Clear information is more important than large volumes of paperwork.
IRCC may still ask for more documents later, and applicants should respond as fully as possible.
Shorter Programs Completed Faster May Still Qualify For Full Length
To be eligible for a PGWP, a program must be at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for some Quebec programs) and lead to an approved credential.
If a student completed the program faster than usual, such as through an accelerated schedule, they may still qualify for a PGWP valid for the full normal length of the program.
Time Spent Outside Canada Matters
Rules on distance learning depend on timelines and specific dates that determine eligibility.
In most cases, at least 50% of the program must be completed inside Canada to qualify for a PGWP.
Time spent studying online from outside Canada may reduce the length of the PGWP, depending on the dates involved.
Internal IRCC guidance also lists a clear ineligibility rule: completing more than 50% of the program through distance learning makes an applicant ineligible, unless specific COVID-related exceptions apply. These exceptions ended in August 2023.
Even if an applicant remains eligible, time spent studying outside Canada may not count toward the PGWP length, which can shorten the work permit.
Expiring Documents Can Shorten The Work Permit
Officers cannot issue a PGWP beyond the expiry date of the applicant’s passport or travel document.
If an applicant applies while their passport is set to expire earlier than the possible PGWP end date, the work permit will be issued only up to the passport expiry.
Biometrics validity can also affect the permit length. Moreover, internal processing may set the permit end date to one day before biometrics expire.
Whenever possible, applicants should ensure that all supporting documents remain valid for the full length of the PGWP before applying.
If a PGWP is issued for a shorter time due to document expiry, the applicant must renew the passport or other documents first and then apply on paper for a PGWP extension.
Language Test Requirements Must Be Met
Since November 1, 2024, PGWP applicants must meet minimum language test scores.
Applicants must take an approved language test and upload the results in the “Client Information” section of the online application.
Test results must be less than two years old.
The required language level depends on the program type:
- For most college and non-university programs, the minimum is CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- For university programs and college bachelor’s programs, the minimum is CLB/NCLC 7.
Field-Of-Study Rules May Apply
Field-of-study requirements depend on the date the initial study permit application was submitted.
Graduates who applied for their first study permit on or after November 1, 2024, must meet field-of-study requirements unless exempt.
Graduates of the following programs are exempt:
- university bachelor’s programs
- college bachelor’s programs
- university master’s programs
- university doctoral programs
Moreover, graduates of all other programs must meet field-of-study rules. This means the program must be on the government’s approved list, which aligns with labour shortages in these fields:
- agriculture and agrifood
- education
- healthcare and social services
- STEM
- trades
- transportation
The field-of-study requirement can be met if the applicant graduated from a program that was on the approved list:
- at the time of the initial study permit application, unless the program later changed, in which case the graduated program must have been on the approved list when the first study permit application for that program was submitted; or
- at the time of the PGWP application.
PGWPs Can Only Be Extended In Special Cases
The PGWP is issued only once in a lifetime.
If an applicant has already received a PGWP, they cannot get another one, even after completing a new program. They also cannot extend a PGWP if it was already issued for the maximum length allowed based on their program.
Submitting a second PGWP application to challenge a previous decision usually leads to refusal.
Instead, IRCC treats such submissions as requests for correction, which are handled through reconsideration or correction processes, or in cases where the original permit was shortened due to passport or biometrics expiry.
If a PGWP is about to expire and the individual wishes to stay in Canada as a worker, they must apply for a different type of work permit.
Moreover, if permanent residence has been applied for and the person is in Canada on a valid PGWP, they may apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
If permanent residence has not yet been applied for, the individual may seek a work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with employer support and a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected].
