Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit 2026/27: Eligible Fields and Rules Explained
- Study in
- Canada
- Levels
- Diploma, Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
- Funding
- Not a scholarship
- Covers
- Open work permit for up to 3 years after graduation; fee CAD $255
- Who can apply
- Graduates of PGWP-eligible programs of 8 months or more at a Canadian DLI who meet the language and field of study rules
- Run by
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
On this page
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets international students who finish an eligible program in Canada stay and work after they graduate. It is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is not a scholarship and pays nothing. What it gives you is the right to work in Canada for up to three years, and IRCC notes that this work experience may help you qualify for permanent residence.
Status: rolling, with no yearly deadline. You must apply within 180 days of getting confirmation that you finished your program. IRCC says it will not add or remove any eligible fields of study in 2026 (checked October 19, 2026).
Who can get a PGWP
- You studied at a designated learning institution (DLI) that offers PGWP-eligible programs. Check the official DLI list, because not every program at a DLI qualifies.
- Your program lasted at least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec).
- You studied full time in every semester. Part time is allowed in your final semester.
- Your study permit was valid at some point in the 180 days before you apply.
- You meet the language requirement and, if it applies to you, the field of study requirement.
You cannot get a PGWP if you already had one, studied English or French as a second language, took general interest or non-credit courses, or did more than half of your program by distance learning.
The field of study rule
- Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees: no field of study requirement.
- College, polytechnic and other non-degree programs (including non-degree programs at universities): you must graduate in an eligible field if you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024.
- Exempt: you applied for your study permit before 1 November 2024, or you graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school.
Eligible fields are linked to jobs in long-term shortage, in areas such as healthcare, STEM, education, agriculture, trades and transport. Your program’s 6-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code must be on the IRCC list of eligible fields of study when you apply for your study permit or your PGWP. Ask your school for your CIP code. Full rules are on the IRCC field of study page.
Language requirements
You must prove your English or French level with a test taken in person. Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. IRCC accepts CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Key details
| Run by | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
|---|---|
| Language level for degrees and other university programs | CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four skills (IELTS General 6.0 in each, or CELPIP 7 in each) |
| Language level for college and other programs | CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all four skills (IELTS General 5.0 in listening, speaking and writing and 4.0 in reading, or CELPIP 5 in each) |
| Permit length | Up to the length of your program if it ran 8 months to under 2 years. Up to 3 years if it ran 2 years or more, or for a master’s of at least 8 months. Never past your passport expiry date. |
| Fee | CAD $255 ($155 work permit fee plus $100 open work permit holder fee). Biometrics, if needed, cost CAD $85. |
| When to apply | Within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program |
How to apply
- Check that your school and program are PGWP eligible.
- Find your program’s CIP code and check whether the field of study rule applies to you.
- Take an approved language test early so your results are ready.
- Get proof that you finished your program, such as an official letter or transcript from your school.
- Apply online through your IRCC account, pay the fees, and upload proof of your field of study in the “Client information” section if it applies.
Tips before you apply
- If you plan to do a diploma or certificate, check the field of study list before you apply for your study permit, and save a copy of the entry for your CIP code.
- You can only work while your PGWP is processed if your study permit was still valid when you applied. Do not let it expire first.
- Renew your passport early. Your PGWP cannot run past it.
- You get only one PGWP in your lifetime, so plan which program will give you the longest permit.
Related guides
- Ndombe-Carrère International Scholarship 2026 for Cal Poly Humboldt Students
- Bold.org Scholarships International Students Can Apply For (November 2026)
- Edwards Scholarship 2026: 0 for First-Generation International Students in the US
Details are taken from the official IRCC (canada.ca) website, checked on October 19, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
