Institution
Eligible DLI
Graduate from a designated learning institution offering a PGWP-eligible programme.
Megamind Consultants is a private education consultancy and is not affiliated with IRCC or the Government of Canada. The PGWP rules on this page are summarised from canada.ca and were last reviewed in September 2026.
POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT (PGWP)
Study in Canada on a programme that keeps you PGWP-eligible
Not every Canadian course leads to a work permit. Know the official IRCC rules, then shortlist programmes that meet them.
- Every recommended programme is checked against IRCC rules
- Public universities and colleges on the official DLI list
- Guidance on language scores, duration and field of study
25+ yearsOverseas education guidance
1,000+Student placements
End-to-endApplication support
₹0Counselling fee
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Students who chose the right programme
Admits to public colleges and universities on the DLI list, guided by Megamind from shortlist to offer.
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OFFICIAL ELIGIBILITY RULES
What IRCC requires for a PGWP
All six conditions must be met at the time of application.
Programme length
At least 8 months
The programme must be a minimum of 8 months and lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
Study format
Full-time, in person
Maintain full-time status every academic session, with most study completed in Canada.
Language
CLB 7 or CLB 5
CLB 7 for degree graduates or CLB 5 for diploma graduates, in all four skills.
Field of study
Degrees are exempt
Diploma and certificate programmes must have a CIP code on the IRCC eligible list.
Deadline
Apply within 180 days
Submit within 180 days of written confirmation that you completed the programme.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Read the official pages on PGWP eligibility, eligible fields of study and the DLI list. Rules can change without notice.
FIELD OF STUDY REQUIREMENT
Degrees are exempt, diplomas must be on the IRCC list
The field-of-study rule applies to non-degree programmes for students who applied for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024.
University degrees
Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral degrees, including bachelor's degrees at colleges
No field-of-study restriction- Any subject area qualifies for a PGWP
- Language requirement: CLB 7 in all four skills
- Master's of 8 months or more can receive up to 3 years
Diplomas and certificates
College and polytechnic programmes that do not lead to a degree
CIP code must be on the eligible list- 1,107 fields of study are currently eligible
- The list is frozen for 2026, next review in 2027
- Language requirement: CLB 5 in all four skills
Eligible diploma fields are concentrated in these sectors
Agriculture and agri-foodHealthcareSTEMSkilled tradesTransportEducation
Not eligible: English or French language programmes, and curriculum-licensing programmes delivered by private colleges.
HOW LONG THE PERMIT LASTS
Permit length follows your programme
A PGWP is an open work permit: almost any employer, anywhere in Canada, no LMIA or sponsorship.
| Programme completed | PGWP length |
|---|---|
| 8 months to under 2 years | Same as programme length |
| 2 years or longer | Up to 3 years |
| Master's degree of 8 months or longer | Up to 3 years |
Conditions to plan around
- A PGWP is issued only once in a lifetime
- It cannot run past your passport expiry date
- Time studied online from outside Canada may be deducted
- Your study permit must be valid at some point in that window
FIELDS WE COMMONLY SHORTLIST
Fields that sit inside PGWP-eligible sectors
Eligibility is confirmed per programme and per level before any option reaches your shortlist.
Data Science & AI
Computer Science & IT
Engineering
Healthcare Management
Nursing & Health Sciences
Business Analytics
Supply Chain & Logistics
Education & Early Childhood
Agriculture & Agri-business
WHY MEGAMIND
Guidance that starts with eligibility, not brochures
Rules are checked first, so you never apply to a programme that cannot lead to a PGWP.
1
PGWP-checked shortlist
Your academics, field, intake and budget are matched with programmes that meet current IRCC rules.
2
Institution verification
Every option is on the DLI list, and diploma CIP codes are checked against the eligible fields list.
3
One connected process
Support across documents, applications, offers and pre-departure planning from a single team.
HOW IT WORKS
Three steps from profile to application
1
Share your profile
Tell us your level, preferred field and target intake.
2
Receive your shortlist
Review options that fit your profile and meet PGWP rules.
3
Start applications
Get support with documents, offers and pre-departure.
CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
Public institutions on the DLI list
Names show the breadth of institutions we work with and are not a claim of formal partnership. Recommendations depend on programme availability, academic fit, cost and entry requirements.
Top-ranked universities
University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
McGill University
University of Waterloo
McMaster University
University of Alberta
Western University
Queen's University
University of Calgary
University of Ottawa
Dalhousie University
Simon Fraser University
University of Victoria
York University
Concordia University
University of Manitoba
University of Saskatchewan
Carleton University
Universities with realistic entry requirements across provinces
University of Guelph
Brock University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Toronto Metropolitan University
Ontario Tech University
Trent University
University of Windsor
Lakehead University
Laurentian University
Nipissing University
Algoma University
University of Regina
University of Winnipeg
Brandon University
University of Lethbridge
MacEwan University
Mount Royal University
Memorial University
University of New Brunswick
Saint Mary's University
Cape Breton University
Acadia University
Mount Saint Vincent University
University of Prince Edward Island
Thompson Rivers University
Vancouver Island University
University of the Fraser Valley
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
University of Northern BC
Royal Roads University
Bishop's University
Université de Montréal
Université Laval
Université de Sherbrooke
St. Francis Xavier University
Public colleges and polytechnics
Humber Polytechnic
Seneca Polytechnic
Sheridan College
George Brown College
Centennial College
Conestoga College
Fanshawe College
Algonquin College
Mohawk College
Niagara College
Durham College
Georgian College
Lambton College
St. Clair College
St. Lawrence College
Loyalist College
Fleming College
Cambrian College
Canadore College
Confederation College
Sault College
Northern College
SAIT
NAIT
Bow Valley College
Red Deer Polytechnic
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Red River College Polytechnic
Assiniboine College
BCIT
Douglas College
Langara College
Okanagan College
Camosun College
Capilano University
Vancouver Community College
Selkirk College
Nova Scotia Community College
New Brunswick Community College
Holland College
College of the North Atlantic
Every institution listed is a public designated learning institution. Programme-level PGWP eligibility is confirmed separately for each option.
Rules can change. PGWP decisions rest with IRCC.
Megamind Consultants provides education and admissions guidance. We do not represent applicants before IRCC and cannot guarantee a study permit, work permit or immigration outcome. Always confirm current requirements on canada.ca before applying.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about PGWP eligibility
Is every Master's degree in Canada PGWP-eligible?
Degree programmes are exempt from the field-of-study rule. The institution must still be a DLI, and the programme must be at least 8 months, full-time and mostly in person.
Do I need a language test for a PGWP?
Yes. Since 1 November 2024 every applicant needs a valid result: CLB 7 for degree graduates and CLB 5 for diploma graduates, in all four skills. The result must be under two years old when you apply.
Can a one-year programme lead to a three-year PGWP?
For Master's degrees of at least 8 months, yes, up to 3 years. For other programmes under two years, the permit matches the programme length.
Does the field-of-study rule apply to me?
Only if you are in a non-degree programme and applied for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024. Your programme's CIP code must be on the IRCC list, which is frozen for 2026.
Are private colleges PGWP-eligible?
Generally no. Programmes at private colleges delivering curriculum licensed from a public college are not eligible. We shortlist public institutions on the DLI list.
Does Megamind guarantee a PGWP?
No. PGWP decisions are made solely by IRCC. We help you choose programmes that meet the published rules and prepare a complete application.
Is there a fee for the shortlist?
No. The profile review and shortlist carry no counselling fee and no obligation to apply.
Ready to shortlist PGWP-eligible programmes?
Share your profile for a PGWP-checked shortlist, or speak to the Canada team on WhatsApp.