A two-year program at a Canadian college can lead to a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This allows an international student to become a strong candidate for Canadian permanent residency (PR), as long as they plan ahead.
When using the study-to-immigrate pathway, planning should focus on:
- Meeting the requirements for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
- Becoming eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway to PR
- Improving scores under Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- Qualifying for category-based draws through Express Entry (if applicable)
- Becoming eligible for other PR pathways based on the program and location of study
Getting A PGWP After Graduating From College
For most international graduates, the first step toward PR after finishing studies is gaining Canadian work experience using a PGWP.
With a two-year college program, graduates can qualify for a three-year PGWP.
To receive a PGWP after completing a two-year college program, the graduate must finish a program that meets the government’s field of study rules. These programs usually relate to training and jobs in in-demand areas such as education, STEM, and healthcare.
Graduates meet this requirement if their program was on the approved list when they applied for their study permit or when they applied for their PGWP.
In addition to completing an eligible program, graduates must meet the general PGWP requirements:
- Have completed a program at a PGWP-eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that lasted at least eight months (900 hours for Québec credentials)
- Have studied full-time in each semester (part-time study is usually allowed in the final semester)
- Have applied for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion
- Meet the required language levels based on the type of program completed.
- College bachelor’s degrees: require CLB/NCLC level 7 in all four skills (English or French).
- Non-bachelor college, polytechnic, or non-university programs: require CLB/NCLC level 5 in all four skills (English or French).
- Graduates must also not have received a PGWP before.
How Long Will The PGWP Be Valid?
If a graduate completes a program that is at least two years long, they may receive a PGWP valid for up to three years.
If the program is shorter than two years, the PGWP is usually issued for the same length as the study program.
Moreover, it is important to note that a PGWP cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of the graduate’s passport. If the passport expires sooner than the maximum PGWP duration, it is recommended to renew the passport before applying.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will not issue a PGWP beyond the validity of the travel document.
Using The PGWP To Build PR-Eligible Work Experience
For many economic PR programs, the key step after graduation is gaining skilled Canadian work experience. The most common federal pathway for PGWP holders is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
CEC: The Main PGWP-To-PR Pathway
To qualify for the CEC, Canadian work experience must be:
- At TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Paid work (wages or commission)
- At least one year or 1,560 hours total within the last three years
- Gained while legally authorized to work in Canada (for example, on a PGWP)
Important details that PGWP graduates often miss:
- Self-employment and work experience gained while studying full-time, including co-op terms, do not count toward the CEC requirement.
- Remote work only counts if the worker was physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.
- Applicants must plan to live outside Québec.
What this means in practice: On a three-year PGWP, many graduates try to find a TEER 0–3 job as soon as possible and carefully track their work hours until they reach the 1,560-hour requirement.
Some steps graduates can take before finishing school include:
- Applying for co-op placements, if offered, to build professional connections early
- Attending campus job fairs to meet employers
- Starting the job search early to move smoothly from school to work
Graduates should also know that they may begin full-time work before receiving their PGWP, as long as they meet the required conditions when applying.
Qualifying for CEC alone does not guarantee PR. Candidates must also have a strong CRS score under Express Entry. Moreover, improving scores through education, work experience, language skills, and other factors increases the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Category-Based Selection Through Express Entry
In addition to raising CRS scores, candidates can improve their chances by qualifying under an Express Entry category. These categories are based on work experience in in-demand occupations or strong French language skills.
Candidates in these categories often receive ITAs with lower CRS scores because fewer profiles qualify for each category.
The French-language category requires NCLC level 7 in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
To qualify for an occupational category, candidates must have at least six months of work experience, in Canada or abroad, within the last three years. They must also meet the basic requirements of an Express Entry program.
Currently, Express Entry includes six occupational categories:
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Education occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
College students planning to apply through Express Entry should review how to qualify for one of these categories while studying or while working on a PGWP. This can greatly improve their chances of receiving PR.
If CEC Is Not Enough, Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
If a candidate’s CRS score is not high enough or if their province actively selects graduates, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer another strong pathway to PR.
PNPs are run by provinces and territories and can provide direct PR routes. Many PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry.
If a candidate receives a provincial nomination through a non-Express Entry stream, they can apply to IRCC directly for PR.
If a candidate receives a nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream, they receive 600 additional CRS points. This usually guarantees an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
Nominees are expected to settle in the province or territory that nominated them.
For college students whose goal is PR, choosing the study province carefully can be helpful. Some provinces offer clearer graduate nomination pathways than others, and streams can change or become more competitive over time.
Examples Of PNP Options For International Graduates
PNP programs change often, but the following examples show common graduate pathways:
- Ontario (OINP) – Employer Job Offer: International Student stream: For graduates with an eligible Ontario credential and a job offer from an approved employer.
- Manitoba – International Education Stream (Career Employment Pathway): For recent Manitoba graduates who meet language and pathway requirements.
- Alberta (AAIP) – Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: A business-focused pathway for graduates who own and operate a business in Alberta and meet stream rules.
Note: OINP streams may change soon following recent consultations.
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