Are you a student dreaming of success in Canada? The PGWP program will help you make your goal a reality! Enrolling in PGWP-eligible courses will allow you to legally follow full-time job options after you graduate from your program and establish a great future in Canada.
But What is PGWP & why is it important to know about it before going to Canada?
PGWP means Post-Graduation Work Permit. The PGWP allows international students to work legally for more than one year in Canada after graduation, providing a pathway to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Canada is still the number one destination for international students, providing world-class education and relevant job experience through the PGWP program. Despite plenty of changes in the immigration rules by the Canadian government in 2024, Canada is yet one of the most sought countries by international students because of its unique opportunities that exist nowhere in the world.
In 2024, Canada’s immigration office revised PGWP guidelines to ensure that students are more prepared for the country’s work market.
To be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you must meet all eligibility requirements.
Eligibility requirements include:
- general eligibility
- eligibility requirements based on the study program
The International Career Counseling Center (ICCC) specializes in assisting students like you in selecting the best PGWP-eligible programs that correspond with your professional objectives in Canada. Let ICCC be your trusted partner in exploring these opportunities and putting you on the route to Canada!
General Eligibility:
You meet the general eligibility requirement to apply for a PGWP if
- you completed a study program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- you maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program.
- you apply for your PGWP within 180 days after you graduate
Eligibility Requirements Based On the Study Program
1. If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from a university, there are no field of study requirements for university graduates with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree.
“A field of study requirement in Canada” is a requirement to graduate from a program linked to a certain occupation in long-term shortage in Canada. According to IRCC, the fields of study are divided into five broad categories:
- Agriculture and agri-food
(Agricultural business and management, Agricultural power machinery operation, Crop production, Dairy science, Poultry science, etc.)
- Health care
(Dental clinical sciences, general (MS, MSc, PhD), Nursing science (MS, MSc, PhD), Registered Nursing, Disability studies, Veterinary, Foods, nutrition, Genetics, Biology and biotechnology technologies, psychology, medical technician, therapist, medical fellowships, medical residency programs, etc.)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
(Architecture, environmental science, Computer and Information Sciences, Programming, Networking, Engineering (all), plant biology, cell biology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Geography, Data science, Astronomy, Chemistry, etc.)
- Trade, and transport
(Insulator, building construction technician, Heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration technician, Heavy equipment technology, Aeronautics, Logistics, materials, supply chain management, etc.)
2. If you graduated from a college program or other non-university program, then you need to check whether your program is PGWP eligible or not.
IRCC has published new PGWP eligibility requirements for students who have applied for a study permit. This means that only a selected course will make you eligible for PGWP after you graduate from a Canadian college or university. To be noted, that not all the courses will you make a PGWP eligible after you graduate.
- If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024, there are no field of study requirements.
- If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must have graduated in an eligible field of study.
In 2024, Canada’s immigration office updated PGWP rules to ensure students are better prepared for the country’s job market. Stay connected with ICCC for the latest updates, expert advice, and personalized support to make your journey as an international student in Canada smooth and successful.
