The Canadian government has introduced new guidelines that affect the duration of post-graduate work permits (PGWPs) for international graduates who have completed more than one program of study. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its operational instructions to clarify how PGWPs are issued for such cases.

Key Aspects of the New PGWP Rules

This update brings transparency to PGWP eligibility and duration for students with multiple academic programs. The update covers the following areas:

• How PGWPs are issued for students with more than one completed program;
• General eligibility criteria for programs to qualify for a PGWP:
• There are additional requirements based on the student’s level of education.

PGWP Issuance for Students with Multiple Programs

Graduates who have completed more than one PGWP-eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) may qualify for a longer work permit, up to a maximum of three years. This practice, known as “program stacking,” allows students to combine the durations of multiple eligible programs if they meet the following conditions:

Each program must be at least 8 months long; and

The programs must be completed within two years of each other.

The table below outlines how different academic scenarios impact PGWP validity (effective from November 1, 2024):

If only one of the completed programs is PGWP-eligible, the student’s PGWP will be granted based on the duration of that eligible program. If the student completed the eligible program first, they must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion.

What Makes a Program PGWP-Eligible?

The type and duration of the completed program are among the variables that affect the duration and validity of a PGWP. A program must be at least eight months long to be eligible for a PGWP.

• It must be delivered through a curriculum-licensing agreement.
• It can be an academic, vocational, or professional training program.
• It must be completed at an eligible post-secondary DLI, such as:

1. Colleges, trade or technical schools, universities, or CEGEPs in Quebec.
2. Private institutions in Quebec that comply with public school regulations.
3. Private secondary or post-secondary institutions in Quebec offering programs of at least 900 hours, leading to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP).
4. Canadian private institutions are authorized to grant degrees under provincial law (only for programs leading to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree).

International students can only be enrolled in programs that lead to PGWP eligibility through DLIs.

Additional PGWP Eligibility Criteria Based on Level of Study

As of November 1, 2024, IRCC has implemented further changes, including field of study requirements for certain college and vocational university programs, as well as new language proficiency standards. The eligibility criteria vary based on when the student applied for their study permit.

PGWP Eligibility for Study Permits Applied Before November 1, 2024:

PGWP Eligibility for Study Permits Applied After November 1, 2024:

Final Thoughts

Students in different programs now have more clarity on PGWP issuance because of these recent IRCC amendments. To optimize their PGWP benefits, international graduates should carefully consider the eligibility and duration of their degrees. Keeping up with legislative changes ensures a more seamless transition from student life to the Canadian workforce.