Will starting a program online impact my Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

The length of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued depends on the duration of the study program completed and can range from 8 months to 3 years. IRCC implemented special measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic allowing international students to begin their programs online abroad and use that time towards their PGWP.  IRCC announced updates to these special measures on December 7, 2023. 

The measures have been divided into two categories for easier reading: outside Canada and inside Canada

Outside Canada:

Special measures between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022

Students who were enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in March 2020, or who started a program of study between March 2020 and August 31, 2022, do not have to complete 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. It is possible for them to complete up to 100% of their program outside of Canada. It is important to note that time spent studying outside Canada will only count toward the overall duration of the PGWP until December 31, 2023.

Special measures between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024 

All students who started their program of study between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, are required to complete at least 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada.

Students in this group will be able to count time spent studying outside of Canada toward the length of the PGWP only if it is less than 50% of the overall program until August 31, 2024.

As of September 1, 2024, students must complete 50% of their program in-class inside Canada to remain eligible for the PGWP. Furthermore, any time spent studying outside Canada will not be counted towards the overall length of the PGWP.

Inside Canada

When a student's courses were moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the time they spent studying online in Canada until August 31, 2024 will be counted toward the length of the PGWP.  The temporary policy will end on August 31, 2024.

Please review the IRCC website for more information about the special measures.  

This page was last updated on January 3, 2024