From study permit to PGWP to permanent residence: a plain-English guide

Step 1: The study permit

IRCC describes the study permit as a document it issues that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. IRCC says most foreign nationals need one to study in Canada.^[2]

IRCC advises applying before travelling to Canada and making sure all the required documents are ready before submitting.^[2]

IRCC's study permit page lists the fee as $CAN 150.^[2]

According to IRCC's eligibility page, you can come to Canada to study if you:^[3]

• are enrolled at a DLI^[3]
• can prove you have enough money for your tuition fees, living expenses and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you^[3]
• obey the law, have no criminal record and get a police certificate if required^[3]
• are in good health and get a medical exam if required^[3]
• can prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires^[3]

While studying, IRCC says you must make progress towards completing your program, respect any conditions on your study permit, and stop studying if you no longer meet the requirements.^[3]

IRCC notes that as of November 8, 2024, you can no longer change schools on the same study permit. To change schools, you need a new study permit by applying to extend your current one.^[1]

Documents, including the provincial or territorial attestation letter

IRCC's document list marks a letter of acceptance from your school as always required. For post-secondary students, IRCC says your school will be asked to make sure your letter of acceptance is valid.^[4]

IRCC describes the provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) as a letter from the province or territory where you plan to study confirming there is space for you. It is provided by the DLI you plan to attend and is usually required to apply for a study permit.^[5]

IRCC says that in most cases you need to accept your offer and pay your tuition fees, in part or in full, to get your PAL/TAL. If you are studying in Quebec, you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) instead.^[4]

IRCC's PAL/TAL page lists exemptions, which include master's and doctoral degree-granting programs at a public DLI. Check IRCC's full list of exemptions for your own situation.^[5]

Step 2: What the PGWP is and who can apply

IRCC says the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows students who graduated from eligible DLIs to gain Canadian work experience. It also says graduating from a DLI doesn't automatically make you eligible for a PGWP.^[7]

IRCC states that PGWP eligibility requirements changed as of November 1, 2024, and that most applicants now need to give proof of language results when they apply.^[7]

Under IRCC's general eligibility rules, you meet the general requirement if:^[8]

• you completed a program at a PGWP-eligible DLI that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs)^[8]
• you kept full-time student status in Canada during each semester (part-time is allowed in your final semester)^[8]
• you apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program^[8]
• your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program^[8]

IRCC lists several groups who aren't eligible for a PGWP, including people who:^[8]

• already received a PGWP^[8]
• studied English or French as a second language^[8]
• completed over 50% of their program through distance learning (IRCC notes a COVID-19 exception for some students)^[8]
• completed a program at a DLI that is not PGWP-eligible^[8]

PGWP language and field of study requirements

IRCC sets the language requirement by type of program:^[8]

• Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, or any other university program: a minimum of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.^[8]
• College, polytechnic or other non-university program: a minimum of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.^[8]
• If you submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, IRCC says you don't need to meet the language requirement for your program.^[8]
• Flight school graduates who meet IRCC's flight-specific conditions have no language or field of study requirement.^[8]

IRCC says there are no field of study requirements for graduates with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.^[8]

For other university programs and for college or non-university programs, IRCC says that if you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must graduate in an eligible field of study.^[8]

IRCC explains that eligible fields of study are linked to certain jobs in long-term shortage in Canada and can change based on labour market needs.^[9]

IRCC identifies programs by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, which it describes as a number used to classify post-secondary programs by field of study.^[9]

Because PGWP eligibility depends partly on when you submit your study permit application, IRCC advises checking the requirements before you submit it, including whether your DLI offers PGWP-eligible programs.^[3]

How long a PGWP lasts

IRCC says the length of your PGWP depends on the level and duration of your study program and on your passport's expiry date, whichever comes first.^[7]

• Master's degree programs: IRCC says you can apply for a 3-year PGWP even if the program was less than 2 years, as long as it was at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec programs) and you meet all other eligibility requirements.^[7]
• Other programs of at least 8 months but less than 2 years: IRCC may give a PGWP valid for up to the same length as the program.^[7]
• Programs of 2 years or more: IRCC may give a PGWP valid for 3 years.^[7]

IRCC says you can't get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.^[7]

Applying for the PGWP

IRCC says the PGWP can be applied for from within Canada or from another country, and that graduates have up to 180 days after graduating to apply. In most cases the application is made online.^[10]

IRCC lists the PGWP fee as $255.^[6]

If your study permit expires before you apply and you don't change your status to visitor, IRCC says you have up to 90 days after it expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.^[10]

IRCC says you can work full-time until it decides on your PGWP application if, among other conditions, you had a valid study permit when you applied and you completed your study program.^[11]

If IRCC approves a PGWP application, it says your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit.^[11]

Step 3: From PGWP work to permanent residence

IRCC's PGWP page says the work experience gained while working may help a person meet the requirements for permanent residence. One program IRCC manages through Express Entry is the Canadian Experience Class.^[6]

IRCC describes Express Entry as an online system for managing applications from skilled workers. It manages 3 programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.^[12]

IRCC says the Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. For this program, IRCC says your Canadian work experience must:^[13]

• be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)^[13]
• be gained by working in Canada while authorized to work under temporary resident status^[13]
• be paid work^[13]
• total at least 1 year of work, or 1,560 hours (30 hours per week), in the 3 years before you apply^[13]

IRCC says work you did while studying full-time does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class, and co-op work terms don't count either.^[13]

• Language: IRCC says you must take approved language tests in English or French and meet the minimum score in all 4 abilities (writing, reading, listening and speaking).^[13]
• Education: IRCC says there is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.^[13]
• Ranking: IRCC says that if you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a Canadian certificate, diploma or degree in the Express Entry pool.^[13]
• Where you live: IRCC says you must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.^[13]

IRCC describes the Express Entry process as follows: you create a profile and enter the pool, IRCC invites the candidates with the most points in rounds, invited candidates fill out the application, and IRCC reviews it and makes a decision.^[12]

Frequently asked questions