Understanding Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility in Canada
If you’re an international student in Canada, knowing your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is essential for planning your career after graduation. The PGWP allows graduates to work in Canada, gaining valuable professional experience in their field of study. However, not every institution or program qualifies you for this work permit. To avoid surprises, it’s important to know which educational institutions and study programs offer a pathway to the PGWP.
What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
The PGWP is a work permit that gives international students in Canada the chance to work after completing their studies. Depending on the length of your program, a PGWP can allow you to work in Canada for up to three years. This permit is particularly valuable because it offers the flexibility to work in any field or industry and for any employer across Canada, helping you build a career that aligns with your academic training. Many students use this experience to increase their chances of qualifying for Canadian permanent residency through programs like Express Entry.
Eligibility Requirements for a PGWP
While the PGWP opens doors for international students to gain work experience, it has specific eligibility requirements. One of the most important factors is the type of educational institution you attend. Canada recognizes only certain institutions, known as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), for PGWP eligibility. However, not all DLIs offer programs that qualify for the PGWP. Therefore, it’s essential to check if the DLI you’re interested in also has PGWP-eligible programs.
To qualify for a PGWP, you must complete a full-time program at a PGWP-eligible DLI and meet all other necessary criteria. These criteria often include completing a program that is at least eight months long, as shorter programs generally do not qualify for the permit. Additionally, the program should lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree that aligns with Canadian educational standards.
Checking PGWP Eligibility of Your Institution and Program
It’s highly recommended that international students review the PGWP eligibility of their desired institution and program before committing to study. The Government of Canada provides an updated list of DLIs that offer PGWP-eligible programs. You can find this list on the official Canadian immigration website, which categorizes institutions by province and indicates whether their programs qualify for the PGWP.
Meeting Additional Criteria for PGWP Approval
List of College in Ontario which doesn't provide PGWP Programs
| List 1: College / University | Location | Campus | PGWP Eligible or not |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1-Global College of Health, Business, and Technology | Mississauga | East Campus, West Campus | No |
| ABC Access Business College | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| ABC Access Business College | North York | North York | No |
| ABM College of Health and Technology | Toronto | No | |
| Académie de Dessin de Mode Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design | Ottawa | Ottawa | No |
| Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Inc. | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Academy of Learning | Brampton | Brampton, Mississauga | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | North York | North York | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Oshawa | Oshawa | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Fort Erie | Fort Erie | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Owen Sound | Owen Sound | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Scarborough | Scarborough | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Belleville | Belleville | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Etobicoke | Etobicoke | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Scarborough | Lawrence Campus | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Toronto | Bay/Queen | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Kingston, Mississauga | Kingston Campus, Mississauga Campus | No |
| Academy of Learning Career and Business College | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| Academy of Learning College | Ottawa | Ottawa | No |
| Academy of Learning College | Hamilton | Hamilton Campus | No |
| ACE Acumen Academy | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| ACE Acumen Academy | Toronto | 1440 Don Mills Rd. (Kern Rd. Campus) | No |
| ACE Acumen Academy | Toronto | 1446 Don Mills Rd. | No |
| ACE Acumen Academy | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Adler Graduate Professional School | Toronto | Toronto | Yes |
| Affirm College of Healthcare, Culinary Arts, Business and Technology | Hamilton | Hamilton | No |
| Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada Inc. | Maple | Maple | No |
| AIM Academy | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| AIMS College Healthcare Management Technology | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Algoma University | Brampton | Algoma at Brampton | Yes |
| Algoma University | Sault Ste. Marie | Main Campus | Yes |
| Algoma University | Timmins | Algoma at Timmins | Yes |
| Algonquin Careers Academy | Ottawa | Ottawa | No |
| Algonquin College | Ottawa | Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology | Yes |
| Algonquin College | Pembroke | Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Pembroke Campus | Yes |
| Algonquin College | Perth | Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Perth Campus | Yes |
| Algonquin College at CDI College Business, Technology and Healthcare | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| Algonquin College at CDI College Business, Technology and Healthcare | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Algonquin College at CDI College Business, Technology and Healthcare | North York | North York | No |
| Algonquin College at CDI College Business, Technology and Healthcare | Scarborough | Scarborough | No |
| Alpha College of Business and Technology | Scarborough | Scarborough | No |
| Alpha College of Business and Technology | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology | Hamilton | Hamilton | No |
| Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology | Toronto | Downtown, North York | No |
| Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology | London | Brantford, Kitchener, London, Windsor | No |
| Anderson College, Health, Business & Technology | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| APlus Institute | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| List 2: College / University | Location | Campus | PGWP Eligible or not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art & Technique Academy of Hairstyling and Esthetics | Oshawa | Oshawa Campus | No |
| Atlantic Career College | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| Avola College Of Hairstyling and Esthetics | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Bay College of Health Business and Technology | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Bayswater Toronto | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Beta College of Business and Technology | Mississauga, Brampton | Mississauga, Brampton | No |
| BITTS International Career College | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| BITTS International Career College | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| BizTech College of Health Sciences, Business & Technology | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Brampton Flight Centre | Caledon | Caledon | Yes (detailsfor Flight schools) |
| Brampton Skin Care Academy Inc. | Brampton | Brampton | No |
| Brantford Aviation College | Brantford | Brantford | No |
| Brock University | Hamilton | Hamilton Campus | Yes |
| Brock University | St. Catharines | Main Campus | Yes |
| Bryan College of Applied Health & Business Sciences | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Business and Technical Training College Inc. | North York | North York | No |
| C.C.E.C. Canadian Career Education College Ltd | Vaughan | Vaughan | No |
| Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology | Sudbury | Main Campus | Yes |
| Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology at Hanson College of Business, Health and Technology | Brampton | Brampton | No (details) |
| Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology at Hanson College of Business, Health and Technology | Toronto | Toronto | No (details) |
| Can-AIM Careers Academy | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canada Christian College & School of Graduate Theological Studies | Toronto | Toronto | Yes(details) |
| Canada College of Education | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canada’s National Ballet School | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canadian Academy of Dental Health & Community Sciences | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Canadian All Care College | Toronto | Scarborough Campus, Toronto Campus | No |
| Canadian Automotive & Trucking Institute | Cambridge | Cambridge | No |
| Canadian Beauty College | Newmarket | Newmarket | No |
| Canadian Beauty College | Vaughan | Vaughan | No |
| Canadian Beauty College | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canadian Business College | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Canadian Business College | Toronto | Scarborough Campus, Toronto Campus | No |
| Canadian Business Skills College of Technology | Markham | Markham | No |
| Canadian Care Academy Inc | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canadian Casino Gaming College Ltd. | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Canadian College for Higher Studies | Scarborough | Scarborough | No |
| Canadian College of Business, Science & Technology | Brampton | Brampton, Mississauga, North York, Scarborough | No |
| Canadian College of Educators | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Canadian College of Health, Science and Technology | Windsor | Windsor | No |
| Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine | Toronto | Toronto, Victoria College | No |
| Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine | Toronto | Toronto | Yes (detailsfor canadian-college-naturopathic-medicine.html) |
| Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Mississauga | Mississauga | No |
| Canadian Flyers International College | Markham | Markham | Yes (details) |
| Canadian Forces College | North York | North York | Yes |
| Canadian International Career College | Toronto | Toronto | No |
| Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) | Toronto | Toronto | Yes (detailsfor Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC)) |
| Canadian National Institute of Health Inc. | Ottawa | Ottawa | No |
| Canadian Natural Therapist and Aesthetics Academy | North York | North York | No |
| Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary | Hamilton | Hamilton | Yes(details) |
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