10 factors that could jeopardize your post-graduation work permit application
Planning ahead for your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application can reduce the risk of refusal.
Small mistakes or misunderstandings can affect your ability to qualify for a PGWP. Over the past year and a half, the Canadian government has also introduced several changes to PGWP eligibility.
The PGWP is an open work permit issued to qualifying international student graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Schedule a Free Post-Graduation Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
It allows its holder to work for most employers in most industries in Canada, and can be issued for up to three years, depending on the length of the study program.
Here are the main pitfalls to look out for in your PGWP application:
FactorWhat it meansWhy it matters
Choosing an invalid study programOnly certain programs qualify for a PGWP. As of 2024, non-degree programs must be on IRCC’s approved list of CIP codes.Graduates of ineligible programs will not qualify for a PGWP.
Failing to maintain full-time student statusStudents must remain full-time in every semester (except the final one) to qualify.Part-time study outside the final term can disqualify you.
Working without authorizationStudents may work only under the conditions listed on their study permitUnauthorized work can lead to loss of status and PGWP refusal.
Completing your program outside CanadaTemporary online study flexibility ended for students starting programs after Sept. 1, 2024.Completing a program abroad may make you ineligible.
Not taking a language testFrom Nov. 1, 2024, international students need to take a language test to provide proficiency in English or French.Missing or insufficient test results will lead to refusal.
Applying latePGWP applications must be submitted within 180 days of program completion.Late applications are usually refused.
Submitting an incomplete applicationRequired documents include proof of program completion, full-time status, language results, eligible field of study, and medical exam (if needed).Missing documents can cause delays or refusals.
Expired or expiring passportA PGWP cannot extend beyond your passport validity.You may receive a shorter permit or need to reapply if your passport expires too soon.
Not proving genuine temporary intentApplicants must show they intend to respect the terms of their PGWP.Failure to demonstrate intent can lead to refusal.
Being inadmissibleReasons include security, criminality, medical, financial, misrepresentation, or inadmissible family members.Inadmissibility can bar entry or lead to removal from Canada.
Choosing an invalid study program
Not all programs in Canada qualify graduates for PGWPs.
In 2024, IRCC introduced a new field of study requirement for PGWP eligibility. The field of study requirement applies to all programs except bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
Under the new rule, graduates from non-exempt programs will only qualify for a PGWP if their program is included on IRCC’s list of eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes (a system IRCC uses to categorize programs by field of study).
IRCC recently added 119 new fields of study to the list and removed 178. However, the removals will not take effect until early 2026.
If you plan to apply for a PGWP after graduation and you are doing a program outside a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, make sure your program’s CIP code is on the list.
If your field of study was on the list when you applied for your study permit, you are eligible for a PGWP even if it is removed at a later date. However, if you change programs partway through, eligibility will be based on when you apply for your new study permit.
You can find the CIP code for your program by visiting Statistics Canada’s official CIP page. You can search by general title and field of study, and then filter to specific program.
An instructional program class is identified by a six-digit code, with each code representing a specific instructional program. To ensure that you have picked the right CIP code, read the description and ensure it matches your chosen study program.
You can find the full list of eligible fields of study here.
Failing to continuously hold full-time student status
To be eligible for a PGWP, graduates need to maintain full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of the study program.
Ensure with your institution that your program enrollment and your course load qualifies as full-time in each and every term.
You can only study part-time during your final semester without it affecting your PGWP eligibility.
Working without authorization
International students in Canada need to adhere to the terms of their study permit to avoid complications with their PGWP.
This means making sure there are no violations of their immigration status.
For example, students can work on-campus or off-campus while studying only if their study permit states so. Currently, international students in Canada can work a maximum of 24 hours per week off campus.
Not abiding by these rules could have serious consequences such as losing student status, not being approved for a work permit in the future, or having to leave the country.
Schedule a Free Post-Graduation Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
Completing a program while outside Canada
During the pandemic, the federal government introduced a temporary measure that allowed international students to count time spent studying online towards the length of a future PGWP, as long as it constituted less than 50% of the program.
This temporary measure no longer applies to students who begin a study program starting September 1, 2024, onwards.
You need to be able to complete the program in-person if you are seeking a PGWP after graduation.
Not getting a language test
Starting November 1, 2024, international students need to demonstrate English or French language proficiency.
The language score required is based on your program of study: CLB 5 for graduates of college programs (except bachelor’s programs), CLB 7 for graduates of bachleor’s, master’s, doctoral, and other university programs.
Language test results must be less than two years old when submitting the application.
IRCC has a list of accepted language tests.
For English:
CELPIP.
IELTS (General Training).
PTE Core.
For French:
TEF Canada.
TCF Canada.
Failing to take this test or scoring less than the necessary score can impact PGWP eligibility.
Applying for PGWP late
International students must submit their PGWP application within 180 days of receiving official confirmation that they completed their program (for example, a letter of completion or final transcript).
Submitting a PGWP application late may result in refusal.
Submitting an incomplete application
You must submit your PGWP application online, unless you have a disability or there is a problem with submitting an online application.
Along with the application, you will need to submit the following documents:
Proof you’ve completed your studies: you will need to submit your degree or diploma, an official letter from your school, or an official transcript or copy of your transcript from your school’s website.
Proof that you were enrolled in full-time studies: you can prove this by submitting an official transcript issued by your Designated Learning Institute (DLI) or a copy of your official transcript from your DLI’s website.
Proof of language results.
Proof of eligible field of study.
Proof of upfront medical exam (if required).
At the end of the application, you will be asked to pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee. Double check your application and all your documents to ensure that everything is accurate and complete before submitting.
Expired or expiring travel document
Your PGWP cannot be issued beyond the validity period of your travel document.
If your passport has expired, you must obtain a new valid passport prior to applying for your PGWP.
If your passport will expire prior to the duration of the PGWP you are eligible for, you may wish to renew your passport prior to applying for your PGWP.
If your PGWP is issued for less than your eligible duration on account of an expiring travel document, you’ll have to renew your travel document and then apply to renew your PGWP on paper.
If you then leave Canada prior to your PGWP renewal having been processed, you will lose your maintained status and end up without work authorization.
Ensuring that your travel document is valid for the maximum duration of your PGWP prior to applying can help you avoid such issues.
Schedule a Free Post-Graduation Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
Not proving genuine temporary resident intent
Canada’s immigration system recognizes dual intent, which means an intention to become a permanent resident of Canada does not preclude someone from becoming a temporary resident, as long as they can ensure an immigration officer is satisfied that they will leave the country when their status expires.
So, when applying for a PGWP, you must be able to convince the immigration officer that you will not violate the terms of your PGWP or overstay.
This can be done by proving ties to your home country with relevant documents and details.
Failure to prove that you have genuine temporary resident intent can be grounds for a refusal.
Inadmissibility
Foreign nationals who are found inadmissible to Canada may be barred entry or removed from the country.
Foreign nationals can be inadmissible for reasons of
Financial support;
Medical reasons;
Misrepresentation;
Criminality;
National security; or
Having an inadmissible family member.
Failure to comply with any provision of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) can also make you inadmissible. This includes violating the conditions of your study permit.
Who is eligible for a PGWP?
A PGWP is a one-time opportunity for international student graduates. Those who have already received a PGWP in the past are not eligible for another.
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must ensure you meet some general criteria:
You have graduated from a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI.
Your program was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs).
You maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program.
You applied for a PGWP within 180 days of completing your program of study.
Your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you graduated and before you submitted your PGWP application.
Schedule a Free Post-Graduation Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
