- Students who have completed a master’s degree programme, within two years also, would now qualify for a three-year PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit programme)
The government of Canada, recently (February 15, 2024) had implemented changes to the post-graduation work permit programme (PGWP). Students who have completed a master’s degree programme, within two years also, would now qualify for a three-year PGWP, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria. Starting September 1, 2024, students enrolled in curriculum licensing agreement programmes would no longer be eligible for a PGWP. In addition, special measures for distance learning and PGWP validity have been extended until August 31, 2024.
A post-graduation work permit is an open work permit granted to foreign students upon completion of their studies in Canada. PGWP holders are free to work anywhere in Canada for any employer for as many hours as they like. The length of the student’s PGWP depends on the level and duration of the candidate’s study programme, as well as the expiry date of the passport.
A student is eligible for a PGWP if he has graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and wants to stay in Canada temporarily to work. A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government in Canada to host international students.
Students, who want to apply for a longer post-graduation work permit, must have graduated for a programme that is for at least two years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions are eligible for a 3-year PGWP.
For master’s degree programme, if a student has applied for a programme, which has been less than eight months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials), then the candidate is not eligible for a PGWP. As per this new law, applicants are permitted to work in Canada, while waiting the processing of their PGWP, after they submit their application before the expiration of their student permit. There is a 180-day window within which one must apply for his PGWP from the date he finishes his study programme.
