Extended Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Length for Master’s Degree Graduates

Policy effect

Modified PGWP eligibility rules allowing graduates of master’s degree programs (even those under 2 years) to receive a full 3-year post-graduation work permit, acknowledging their high potential for economic integration.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Modified PGWP eligibility rules allowing graduates of master’s degree programs (even those under 2 years) to receive a full 3-year post-graduation work permit, acknowledging their high potential for economic integration.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… potentially transition to permanent residence, we have made a change to the length of the PGWP, so that they have the opportunity to meet the required Canadian work experience in order to apply for their permanent residence. Starting on February 15, 2024, a longer, 3-year post-graduation work permit will be available to those who are graduating from a master’s degree program that is less than 2 years and who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria. The length of [PGWPs](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html) for programs …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Canada changes operative in 2024

• 2024-01-01Increase to International Student Cost-of-Living Financial Requirement
• 2024-01-01Transition of Refugee Sponsor Groups to Online Permanent Residence Portal
• 2024-01-08Recognized Employer Pilot phase-two application opening
• 2024-01-22Study Permit Intake Cap and Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirement
• 2024-02-27Launch of Permanent Residence Pathway for Family Members Fled from Conflict in Sudan
• 2024-02-29Canada reimposes visitor-visa requirement for most Mexican citizens
• 2024-03-15Automatic Cancellation of Temporary Visas, eTAs, and TRPs upon Issuance of Removal Orders
• 2024-04-12Ministerial Instructions for Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) 2024
• 2024-04-22Updated temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza
• 2024-04-30Biennial Permanent Residence Fee Adjustments
• 2024-05-01International Student Off-Campus Work Hours Update
• 2024-05-01Rollback of TFWP Workforce Solutions Road Map Measures
• 2024-05-20Designation of Canadian Architectural Certification Board for Educational Credential Assessments
• 2024-05-22Expanded CBSA Regulatory Removal Order Authority for At-Border Inadmissibility (SOR/2024-86)
• 2024-05-27Open Work Permits for Hong Kong Permanent Residence Applicants
• 2024-06-21Termination of In-Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Border Applications ("Flagpoling" Prohibition)
• 2024-07-04Enactment of Regulatory Removal Authority for Serious Border Inadmissibility
• 2024-08-09Express Entry: class priority for applicants eligible under multiple classes
• 2024-08-11Temporary Open Work Permit Pathway for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Candidates
• 2024-08-26Launch of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
• 2024-08-28Revocation of the 'Visitor to Work Permit' Inside-Canada Public Policy
• 2024-10-28Elimination of Lawyer and Accountant Attestations for LMIA Business Legitimacy
• 2024-11-08Changing designated learning institutions requires a new study permit application
• 2024-11-08High-Wage LMIA Stream 20% Wage Threshold Increase
• 2024-11-08Post-secondary institutions become subject to mandatory confirmation and compliance reporting
• 2024-11-29Expansion of International Experience Canada Regulatory Authorities
• 2024-11-29Temporary Pause on Refugee Sponsorship Intake (Groups of Five & Community Sponsors)
• 2024-12-16TR-to-PR Pathway Work Permit Extension and Family Expansion
• 2024-12-18Certain Fees in Respect of the Issuance of Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family (Crisis in Gaza) Remission Order