Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, remain eligible for a PGWP under previous rules. Those applying on or after this date must meet new language requirements and field-of-study tied to Canada’s labour market needs.
For postgraduates, a 3-year PGWP is now available for master’s programs lasting at least 8 months. Other graduates will receive a permit matching their program length, with a maximum of three years for programs two years or longer.
New language requirements: university graduates need CLB/NCLC 7, while college and polytechnic graduates require CLB/NCLC 5. Students who completed more than 50% of their program online (except for COVID-19 exceptions) are not eligible. A valid passport is crucial, as PGWPs cannot exceed its expiry date.
To avoid a shorter PGWP, it's best to renew your passport before applying. If your passport expires after receiving your PGWP, you may renew it and apply for an extension to get the full eligible duration.
