The permit that turns a degree into Canadian work experience.

The deadline depends on where you apply from. If you are applying from inside Canada, you must apply within 90 days from the day your program completion letter becomes available and before your study permit expires — whichever comes first. If you are applying from outside Canada, you must apply within 180 days from the day your program completion letter becomes available and within 180 days of your study permit expiring — whichever comes first. Completion is measured from the date on your transcript or completion letter, not your graduation ceremony.

Officers assess six core areas: (1) a valid or previously held study permit, (2) full-time student status throughout every academic session, (3) proof of program completion — both an official transcript and a completion letter from your DLI, (4) application submitted within the deadline — if applying from inside Canada, within 90 days from the day your program completion letter becomes available and before your study permit expires (whichever comes first); if applying from outside Canada, within 180 days from the day your completion letter becomes available and within 180 days of your study permit expiring (whichever comes first), (5) a program of at least 8 months at a designated learning institution, and (6) field of study requirements, if applicable to your program.

You must have maintained full-time student status during every academic session of your program. Exceptions are only permitted for an approved leave from studies or your final academic session. Any other part-time term, or a break that was not formally approved, is assessed individually — gaps in full-time status that were not formally approved can result in a refusal.

You must provide both your official transcript and an official letter from your DLI confirming you met the requirements to complete your program. Both documents must be included in your application — one without the other is not sufficient.

Your program must be at least 8 months in duration. It must be an academic, vocational, or professional training program at a designated learning institution, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. There is no requirement that the program be credit-bearing — current IRCC guidance does not exclude non-credit programs as long as all other criteria are met.

Yes. You must provide proof of English or French language skills. Accepted English tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and PTE Core. Accepted French tests include TEF Canada and TCF Canada. The only exception is if you graduate from a PGWP-eligible flight school.

Your study permit had to be valid at some point within the 180 days after your completion confirmation. If it expired first, restoration has a short deadline. You must have held or hold a valid study permit within the 180-day application window — if your permit expired before that window, you may need to restore your temporary resident status before applying.

PGWP refusals have been increasing. IRCC processes PGWP applications through an internal tool called Chinook. Recent evidence suggests a possible change to Chinook's rules, prompts, or processing templates may be contributing to the wave of refusals. Some applicants who appear to meet all requirements are still being refused. This is why professional representation can be critical — ensuring your application clearly addresses every requirement that officers check.