PGWP 3 years

Since February 15, 2024, graduates of master's programs can receive a 3-year PGWP even when their program lasted less than 2 years. The program must have run for 8 months at minimum, and your school needs to run PGWP-eligible programs.

It's the one case in which a short program still earns the full 3 years. For all other programs, the permit length follows the length of the program you completed in Canada.

You will also need a language result of CLB 7, or NCLC 7 when you test in French. CLB is Canada's scale for scoring English test results, while NCLC is the matching scale for French. Master's degrees have no field of study rule.

A one-year program can qualify if it meets the PGWP eligibility rules and runs 8 months or more, or 900 hours in the case of a Quebec program. If your program ran 8 months or more but under 2 years, your permit can last up to the same length as the program did. So a 9-month program could mean a permit of up to 9 months.

A master's degree is the exception, since it can bring 3 years even at 1 year long. This exception doesn't cover certificate or diploma programs, which follow the normal length rule.

Programs shorter than 8 months don't lead to a PGWP; English or French language classes don't either.

A bachelor's or doctoral degree can open the door to a PGWP of up to 3 years. When your program ran for 2 years or more, you can receive the full 3 years. You will need CLB 7, and degrees carry no field of study rule.

A college or polytechnic diploma or certificate uses the same length rule as the other programs. A polytechnic is a college that focuses on hands-on, job-ready programs. With 2 years or more you can receive 3 years, and a shorter program gives you up to the length of what you studied.

The required language score is lower here, at CLB 5 or NCLC 5. If you applied for your study permit on November 1, 2024 or later, there's also a field of study requirement. Your program's field must appear on IRCC's list of eligible fields. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is the federal immigration department.

For a university certificate or diploma, the same length rule applies but CLB 7 is required, with the same field of study requirement in effect.

Three things set the length of your PGWP: the level and duration of your program, and the date your passport runs out. The permit can't last past that date.

Your school matters as well. A school marked "no PGWP-eligible programs" in IRCC's designated learning institution list can't lead to a PGWP through any program it offers. A designated learning institution is simply a school that a province or territory has approved to welcome international students. One more case: a program started on or after May 15, 2024 at a private college that teaches a public college's courses won't qualify either.

For Quebec, a school counts if it's on IRCC's Quebec list and the program runs 900 hours or more, ending in a DEP, ASP, DEC or AEC. Those are Quebec's own diplomas: DEP and ASP for vocational (trade) programs, DEC and AEC for college programs. Flight school graduates have their own path: a Canadian commercial pilot licence works, and so does an instructor rating (the licence to teach flying) together with a job offer to teach flying at a Canadian flight training centre. Flight schools carry no language or field rule.

If you've completed two or more programs, IRCC adds up the length of each one, provided every program qualifies on its own. Each one has to run 8 months or longer (900 hours in Quebec). Your language score has to meet the higher language requirement among the programs you're combining. For example, if one program needs CLB 7 and the other CLB 5, you need CLB 7.

This is worth planning for, because a second PGWP isn't an option. Your one permit needs to cover every program you want counted.

A PGWP is only issued for as long as your passport is valid. If it expires before the end of your eligible period, your permit will be shorter. Once you have a new passport that covers your full eligible period, you can apply on paper to extend your PGWP.

Since November 1, 2024, most people applying have had to include language test results. The window to apply is 180 days, counted from the day your school confirms you've completed your program.