Work authorization depends on enrolment, program and timing.
- 01
Eligible full-time students in qualifying post-secondary programs may work on campus without a separate work permit when the study-permit conditions allow it.
- 02
Eligible students may work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. The student must remain eligible before, during and after the break.
- 03
Work cannot start before the study program begins. Language-only, general-interest, prerequisite-only and authorized-leave periods can remove off-campus eligibility.
- 04
As of April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary students no longer need a co-op work permit for a required student work placement; existing co-op permits remain valid. Secondary-school placements and other situations must follow their own rule.
- 05
Exceeding hours or working while ineligible is unauthorized work and can affect the study permit, PGWP and future applications.
- 06
A SIN is administrative and does not create authorization; the permit conditions and regulations control.
Maintain student status and keep a paper trail after arrival.
Enrolment and progress
Remain enrolled at the DLI named in the permit and actively pursue studies. Preserve enrolment letters, transcripts, attendance and authorized-leave records.
Authorized leave
A DLI-authorized leave is generally limited to 150 days for compliance purposes. On- and off-campus work is not allowed during an authorized leave.
Contact and permit conditions
Update the school and IRCC where required and obey work, medical, level, DLI and expiry conditions printed on the permit.
Stopping or finishing early
Stopping studies can end work authorization. The study permit normally becomes invalid 90 days after written program completion even if a later date is printed.
Travel document
A study permit is not a visa. Re-entry normally requires a valid passport plus TRV or eTA, and the final admission decision remains with CBSA.
PGWP eligibility must be planned before enrolment—not after graduation.
General requirements
Complete an eligible program at a PGWP-eligible DLI lasting at least 8 months (900 hours in Québec), remain full-time each semester except a permitted final part-time semester, apply within 180 days of written completion and have held a valid study permit during that 180-day period.
Language for degrees/university
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university-program graduates generally need approved English CLB 7 or French NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Language for college/non-university
Other college, polytechnic and non-university graduates generally need CLB/NCLC 5 in all four skills.
Field of study
Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates have no field requirement. Other university, college and non-university graduates whose study-permit application was filed on or after November 1, 2024 generally need an eligible CIP field.
Length
Programs from 8 months to under 2 years usually support a permit up to the program length; programs of 2 years or more may support up to 3 years. Passport expiry can shorten issuance.
Common exclusions
A prior PGWP, stand-alone ESL/FSL, general-interest or non-credit study, more than 50% distance learning, non-eligible DLI/program and most public-private curriculum-licensing programs can make the graduate ineligible.
One-time permit
A PGWP is generally available once. A later program does not create a second PGWP, so sequencing programs, passport validity and the first application matter.
Official sources & application
The practical answer is in this guide; use these links to verify live changes and apply officially.
Ghasedak explains the eligibility, evidence, process and important cautions in plain language. Because laws, forms, fees and filing methods can change, also check the live official instructions on the day you submit. This is general information, not individual legal advice.