Study permits and the post-graduation work permit

Studying in Canada can be the start of a longer journey toward permanent residency, but success depends on understanding the rules governing study permits, work rights, and the post-graduation work permit. This guide explains how these pieces fit together and what you need to know to make the most of your time as an international student.

Designated Learning Institutions and Your Study Permit

A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically DLIs. For post-secondary study—college, university, or vocational programs—you must attend a DLI that appears on the official list maintained by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Without a valid letter of acceptance from a DLI, IRCC will refuse your study permit application outright. This makes choosing the right institution crucial. When you apply for your study permit, you must include the DLI number from your school's acceptance letter. Each DLI has a unique identifier; Ontario uses a prefix starting with the letter O followed by numbers (for example, O19395982642), while other provinces use different formats.

Checking DLI Status and Program Eligibility

Not all programs at a DLI lead to eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Public colleges and universities typically offer many PGWP-eligible programs, while some private institutions offer few or none. You should verify on the official canada.ca DLI list before committing to a program, because choosing a school with non-PGWP-eligible programs means you will not qualify to remain and work in Canada after graduation—a costly mistake.

Provinces can suspend or revoke a school's DLI status for non-compliance with reporting rules, inadequate student support, or financial instability. If your school loses designation, IRCC typically gives current students 90 days to transfer to another DLI or leave Canada. Check the DLI list every semester, not just at application time. If you suspect your school is in trouble, research transfer options early.

Working While Studying in Canada

Most international students can work without applying for a separate work permit, provided they meet eligibility conditions listed on their study permit. Your study permit will specify where and how much you can work. Before accepting any job, check your permit conditions to ensure you are not breaking the rules.

On-Campus Work

If you hold a valid study permit and are enrolled full-time at a DLI, you can work unlimited hours on campus—in the library, student centre, cafeteria, bookstore, or as a teaching or research assistant. On-campus includes work at affiliated research facilities if the research is related to your academic field. You do not need to request permission or apply for an additional work permit.

Off-Campus Work

Most full-time post-secondary international students can work up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular school sessions without a work permit. Off-campus includes any location outside your school's grounds: retail stores, restaurants, tutoring, delivery services, or self-employment like freelancing or small business ownership. You can work multiple jobs as long as the total hours do not exceed 24 per week.

During scheduled school breaks—summer, winter, reading week—you can work unlimited hours off campus, provided the break lasts at least seven consecutive days and you were a full-time student before and after it. You can accumulate a maximum of 180 days of unlimited off-campus work per calendar year during scheduled breaks.

To work off campus, your study permit must have a condition printed on it authorizing off-campus work. If your permit does not include this condition, you can request an amendment at no cost before you start working. You will also need a Social Insurance Number (SIN)—a nine-digit identifier that the Government of Canada issues for employment and tax reporting.

Co-op and Internship Placements

As of April 1, 2026, post-secondary international students no longer need to apply for a separate co-op work permit if the co-op or internship is part of their study program. However, if a work placement is required for graduation and the placement is not integrated into your study program, or if you wish to do a voluntary internship, you may need to apply for a work permit.

To be eligible for a mandatory co-op work placement without a separate permit, you must have a valid study permit, your school must provide a letter confirming the placement is required for graduation, the placement cannot exceed 50 percent of your total program duration, and you must be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a DLI that is at least six months long. You can work full-time during co-op or internship terms that are required to obtain your degree.

Understanding the Post-Graduation Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows graduates of eligible designated learning institutions to work for any employer anywhere in Canada without a job offer. For many international students, the PGWP is the bridge between studying and applying for permanent residency. It allows you to gain Canadian work experience, which is valuable for immigration applications.

Who is Eligible

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet several core requirements. First, you must have completed a program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution that was at least eight months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs). Second, you must have maintained full-time student status during each semester of your program—though you may study part-time in your final semester. Third, you must apply within 180 days of receiving official confirmation that you completed your program, such as a program completion letter or official transcript.

Your study permit must have been valid at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program. This means if your study permit expires before you finish, you can apply to extend it for an additional 90 days to allow time to submit your PGWP application.

As of November 1, 2024, IRCC introduced new language and field-of-study requirements. Most PGWP applicants must now provide proof of English or French language proficiency from an approved test (such as IELTS, CELPIP, or PTE) with results from the last 24 months. If you submitted your PGWP application before November 1, 2024, or you are a flight school graduate, you are exempt from these new requirements.

For graduates of bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs, field-of-study restrictions do not apply. However, graduates of college programs and other non-degree post-secondary programs must have studied in an eligible field of study—one that aligns with in-demand occupations in Canada. IRCC uses Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes matched to National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes to determine eligibility. If your program is not in an eligible field of study, you will not qualify for a PGWP.

PGWP Duration

The length of your PGWP depends on the length of your program, not how fast you complete it. If your program was less than two years, your PGWP will be valid for the same duration as your program. For example, a nine-month program results in a nine-month work permit; a 18-month program results in an 18-month permit.

If you completed a master's degree program of at least eight months, you can receive a three-year PGWP, regardless of the program's actual length. Similarly, graduates of two-year or longer bachelor's or diploma programs can receive a three-year PGWP. Your permit cannot be extended or renewed, though if your passport expires before the full duration of your eligibility, you can extend the permit by renewing your passport and applying for a PGWP extension.

How to Apply

You must apply for your PGWP within 180 days of receiving official notification of program completion. Do not wait for your diploma or convocation ceremony; your completion letter or official transcript is sufficient. If you apply before your study permit expires, you can begin working full-time immediately while waiting for a decision, even though the PGWP application is being processed. This is a significant advantage.

Most PGWP applications are submitted online through your IRCC account. You must provide your program completion letter or official transcript, proof of language results (unless exempt), and possibly proof that you studied in an eligible field of study if you are a non-degree graduate. Processing typically takes five to eight months. If you apply from within Canada, you can start working full-time while waiting for approval.

From PGWP to Permanent Residence

The PGWP is valuable primarily because the Canadian work experience you gain can help you qualify for permanent residency. Many international graduates transition to PR through federal and provincial programs that prioritize or require Canadian work experience.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Express Entry

The most common pathway is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system. To qualify, you must have at least 12 months of skilled Canadian work experience in the last three years in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation (using Canada's National Occupational Classification system). Note that work completed during your studies does not count—only work after you graduate on a valid PGWP or other work permit counts.

You must also meet language requirements: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French for TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations. Once you meet these requirements, you create an Express Entry profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and wait to be invited to apply during a draw.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Each province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut, which have their own immigration programs) operates a Provincial Nominee Program that prioritizes candidates with connections to the province. If you studied or worked in a province on your PGWP, you may qualify for that province's PNP stream. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your Express Entry CRS score, significantly improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

If you apply for permanent residence through Express Entry or a PNP and receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), you may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). A BOWP allows you to continue working in Canada while your PR application is being processed, without interruption. You can apply for a BOWP once your PGWP has less than 180 days of validity remaining. This is important: do not let your PGWP expire without a BOWP in place, or you will lose your right to work and may need to leave Canada.

Key Compliance and Timeline Considerations

Your study and work journey in Canada involves multiple timelines and rules. You must remain enrolled at your DLI and maintain full-time status (with limited exceptions). If you change schools or programs, you may need to apply for a new study permit. Failing to meet study permit conditions—such as working unauthorized hours off campus or dropping to part-time without approval—can result in loss of student status, denial of future permits, and removal from Canada.

Keep all official documents: acceptance letter, study permits, transcripts, PGWP, work permits, and proof of work experience. These will be essential if you apply for permanent residence. Also, apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) as soon as you are authorized to work; you will need it to legally work and pay taxes in Canada.

Remember that only work at a designated learning institution counts toward PGWP eligibility, and only skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) counts toward PR applications. Strategic planning from the moment you arrive—choosing the right institution, understanding work rules, and preparing for the PR transition—will significantly improve your chances of successfully settling in Canada.