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How program length determines your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) duration

Canada • Post-Graduation Work Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Step-by-Step

PGWP length is directly tied to how long your study program is, which is a common point of confusion for prospective students trying to plan ahead before even starting their program.

What group members said:
  1. A program of 18 months or more in length generally makes you eligible for the maximum 3-year PGWP. Members confirmed this threshold directly in response to a question about a Master of Engineering program.

  2. Shorter programs get a shorter PGWP, generally matching the length of the study program (up to the 3-year cap for programs of 2 years or more), so it's worth confirming your program's total duration in months, not just terms, since PGWP eligibility is calculated on actual program length.


Before committing to a program, check its officially stated length in months (not just number of terms, which can vary by institution) so you can estimate your PGWP duration accurately ahead of applying.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: Programs of 18+ months in length generally qualify for the maximum 3-year PGWP.
  • Do: Confirm your program's length in months (not just terms) to estimate PGWP duration accurately.

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