Eligibility Requirements

Before preparing documents, confirm you meet these criteria:

Program Requirements

  • Graduated from designated learning institution (DLI) with PGWP-eligible program

  • Program at least 8 months in duration

  • Leads to degree, diploma, or certificate

  • Maintained full-time status each semester (except final semester or authorized leave)

  • Completed program in Canada (distance learning restrictions apply)

Note: Public-private partnership (PPP) programs mostly ineligible.

Application Deadline

  • Must apply within 180 days of receiving final transcript or official completion letter

  • Must have valid study permit or have held one within 180 days before applying

If your study permit expired before submitting PGWP, IRCC must restore your status as a student first before issuing PGWP.

Language Requirement (Effective November 1, 2024)

All PGWP applicants must provide language test results:

Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree graduates:

  • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7

  • All four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)

College, diploma, certificate, or other non-university program graduates:

  • CLB 5 or NCLC 5

  • All four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)

  • Must graduate from eligible field of study (see below)

Test validity: Results must be less than 2 years old at time of application.

Exemption: Applicants who submitted study permit application before November 1, 2024 are exempt from language requirement.

Field of Study Requirement

Applies to non-degree programs only (diplomas, certificates, college programs):

  • Must graduate from one of the eligible fields of study in high-demand sectors

  • Eligible fields include healthcare, social services, education, skilled trades, agriculture, STEM

  • Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree graduates exempt from field restrictions

Note: Field of study list revised in June 2025 and temporarily reinstated in July 2025. IRCC conducting full review in early 2026.

Principal Applicant Documents

Identity and administrative

  • Valid passport (all biography, signature, visa, and stamp pages)

  • Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications

  • Applicant Details Form

  • Family Information Form

  • Marriage certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applying with spouse)

  • Representative submission letter (provided by YCI)

  • Use of Representative Form IMM5476 (provided by YCI)

Immigration Status

  • Current and all past study permits

  • Current and all past co-op work permits (if applicable)

  • Proof of extension application submission if on maintained status (if applicable)

Language Test Results (Mandatory)

Accepted tests:

  • IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada (French), TCF Canada (French)

Requirements:

  • Must show CLB 7 (degree) or CLB 5 (non-degree) in all four skills

  • Test results less than 2 years old

  • Must be in-person test results

Education Documents

For all study programs completed in Canada:

  • Official or unofficial transcripts showing completion

  • Program completion letter or certificate from institution

  • Final grades for all courses

Documents must show:

  • Program duration met minimum 8 months

  • Full-time study status maintained

  • Successful completion of all requirements

PGWP Duration

Work permit length depends on program duration:

  • 8 months to less than 2 years: PGWP same length as program

  • 2 years or longer: PGWP up to 3 years

  • Master's degree: 3-year PGWP regardless of program length (effective February 15, 2024)

Note: PGWP validity cannot exceed passport expiry date. If passport expires before the applicable PGWP duration, PGWP renewal can be applied after passport renewal.

Dependent Spouse

If applying with dependent spouse:

Spouse eligibility for open work permit:

  • If you work in TEER 0, 1, or eligible TEER 2/3 occupation with PGWP, spouse may qualify for spousal open work permit

Dependent Children

Definition: Under 22 years and not married or common-law, OR 22+ years and financially dependent since before age 22 due to physical or mental condition.

For each child:

Important Notes

Application timing:

  • Apply within 180 days of program completion

  • Can only receive one PGWP in lifetime

  • Must apply before current study permit expires or within 180 days after expiry

Program eligibility verification:

  • Confirm your institution is on DLI list

  • Confirm your specific program is PGWP-eligible

  • If non-degree program: confirm field of study is eligible

Language test preparation:

  • Book test early (appointment availability varies)

  • Must be in-person test, not online

  • Results valid for 2 years

Common refusal reasons:

  • Missing language test results (most common)

  • Language scores below minimum threshold

  • Application submitted after 180-day deadline

  • Program not PGWP-eligible

  • Did not maintain full-time status

  • Non-degree program not in eligible field of study

Work restrictions:

  • Some occupations require immigration medical exam to avoid restrictions

Signature Authorization (Optional)

Provide clear signature on white paper with blue pen for digital insertion, or manually sign forms and send scanned copies.