To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), international students must meet specific criteria. They need to have completed a study program at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. This program must be at least eight months long and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Additionally, students must have maintained full-time student status during each academic session of their program, with some exceptions for final academic sessions and authorized leaves12.
Language requirements
You must provide proof of language ability to meet the language requirements for the PGWP when you submit your application.
To measure your English or French levels, we use
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French
Proof of language ability
You must demonstrate your skill in each of the following abilities:
reading
writing
listening
speaking
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application.
Field of study requirement
If your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 5 broad categories:
agriculture and agri-food
healthcare
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
trade
transport
Reference: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2024). Study requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility/study-requirements.html