What Happens to My PGWP If I Complete More Than One Program?

The Canadian government has recently updated its guidelines on how the length of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is determined when a student graduates from multiple programs of study. This new guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarifies the rules for combining, or “stacking,” multiple eligible programs to potentially qualify for a longer work permit.

Key Points About Program Stacking

“Program stacking” refers to the situation where a student has completed more than one PGWP-eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). When both programs meet specific criteria, IRCC may combine their durations to issue a longer PGWP. The conditions for stacking include:

• Both programs must be at least 8 months long.
• Both programs must be completed within two years of each other.
  
  

When these criteria are met, the PGWP may be issued based on the combined length of both programs, up to a maximum of three years.

What If One Program Isn’t Eligible?

If one of the programs doesn’t qualify for a PGWP, stacking won’t apply. The permit will be issued based on the eligible program’s duration only. For example:

• If a non-eligible program is completed first, followed by an eligible program, the PGWP will only account for the eligible program.
• If an eligible program is completed first and a non-eligible program second, the student must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of finishing the eligible program, as the second program won’t extend eligibility.
  
  

General PGWP Requirements

For any program to make you eligible for a PGWP, it must:

• Be at least eight months long.
• Be completed at a recognized PGWP-eligible DLI.
• Lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Be an academic, vocational, or professional training program.
  
  

New Rules Based on Level of Study

As of November 1, 2024, additional eligibility criteria have been introduced. These include:

• Language proficiency requirements for all graduates.
• Field-of-study requirements for certain levels of study, depending on when the student applied for their study permit.
  
  

In essence, completing multiple programs can extend your PGWP duration, but this depends on both programs being eligible and meeting the specified criteria. For the most up-to-date details on eligibility, it’s best to consult IRCC’s guidelines directly.