Not an official IRCC tool. Figures are for reference only — always verify with canada.ca before making decisions.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility Checker

Answer a few questions about your program to see whether you look eligible for a PGWP, how long a permit you'd likely qualify for, and exactly which requirement is holding you back if you don't.

Assumes your program was at a designated learning institution (DLI) — that's a separate prerequisite this checker doesn't ask about.

Language ability (CLB per skill) — non-university credentials need CLB 5+

Your result

Not eligible right now

  • Not met: Program length. Programs must run at least 8 months. Yours: 0.
  • Not met: Full-time study. You must have studied full-time in every academic session, apart from a final short session or an approved leave.
  • Passed: In-person study. No more than 50% of the program can have been completed online. Yours: 0%.
  • Passed: Applied in time. You must apply within 180 days of your institution confirming program completion. Days since: 0.
  • Not met: Valid study permit. You must have held a valid study permit at some point during the program.
  • Passed: First PGWP. You can only be issued a PGWP once in your lifetime.
  • Not met: Language requirement. Minimum CLB 5 in all four abilities (non-university credential). Your lowest: CLB 0.
  • Not met: Field of study. Your program must be on IRCC's eligible field-of-study list.

Opening this link restores everything you entered.

PGWP rules last verified 2026-08-07. This is not an official assessment — always confirm on canada.ca.

Advertisement

How permit length is decided

PGWP length is not a fixed number — it follows the length of the program you completed. A program under 8 months doesn't qualify at all. From 8 months up to just under 2 years, the permit generally matches your program length month for month. A program of 2 years or longer earns the maximum: a 3-year permit, regardless of how much longer than 2 years it ran. The one exception worth knowing is a master's credential completed in under 2 years, which still qualifies for the full 3-year permit rather than being capped at its own shorter length.

Advertisement

The requirements that trip people up

  • The application window. You have a limited number of days after your institution confirms your program completion to apply — missing that window is one of the most common and most avoidable reasons an otherwise-eligible graduate loses PGWP eligibility entirely.
  • Online study limits. Programs completed mostly online can fall outside PGWP eligibility, which matters most for anyone who studied part of their program remotely.
  • Field of study, for shorter credentials. Certificate and diploma programs are checked against IRCC's eligible field-of-study list; bachelor's degrees and above generally are not. If your credential is a certificate or diploma, it's worth confirming your specific program is on that list before assuming eligibility.
  • The once-per-lifetime limit. If you've already held a PGWP, a second credential will not qualify you for another one — plan which program you use it for accordingly.

What a PGWP is actually worth

A PGWP's real value shows up later, in Express Entry. Canadian work experience gained on a PGWP counts toward the Canadian Experience Class, and it feeds directly into skill transferability combinations in the CRS score — often adding more points per year than almost any other single factor. Time spent working in Canada under a PGWP is frequently the difference between a CRS score that clears a category cut-off and one that doesn't.

If you're checking PGWP eligibility as part of a longer-term plan toward permanent residence, it's worth running your expected profile through the CRS score calculator to see how that Canadian work experience would move your score.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

A PGWP is an open work permit issued to eligible international graduates of Canadian institutions, letting them work for almost any employer in Canada after finishing their studies. It doesn't require a job offer, and the Canadian work experience it lets you gain typically becomes some of the highest-value points in an Express Entry CRS score.

How long can a PGWP last?

Permit length tracks your program length: programs under 2 years usually get a permit matching the program length, and programs of 2 years or more get a 3-year permit. A short program at the master's level is a specific exception — even a program under 2 years can qualify for the full 3 years.

Can I get more than one PGWP?

No. IRCC only issues a PGWP once per person, over your lifetime — not once per program. Completing a second credential after already holding a PGWP does not entitle you to another one, which is why the length of your permit for the program you actually intend to use it for matters.

Why does field of study matter for some credentials but not others?

IRCC applies a field-of-study eligibility list to shorter credentials like certificates and diplomas, to keep PGWP eligibility tied to programs seen as addressing labour market needs. Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates are generally exempt from this requirement regardless of their field.

Does studying online affect my eligibility?

Yes, up to a limit. A portion of your program can be completed online without affecting PGWP eligibility, but exceeding that limit can disqualify the program entirely. This mattered most for cohorts who studied partly online during 2020-2021; check the specific rules for your intake if that applies to you.

Is this checker official?

No. This is an independent tool built from general knowledge of PGWP eligibility rules, not a live feed from IRCC. PGWP requirements have changed more than once in recent years — always confirm your own eligibility on canada.ca before making decisions.

PGWP eligibility rules last verified 2026-08-07. This tool is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by IRCC or the Government of Canada — always confirm your eligibility on canada.ca.

Advertisement