Last Updated On 21 March 2023, 2:36 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Today, IRCC announced that they are extending the time students can study online from outside Canada and still be eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).

Now students can count the online study time outside of Canada towards the eligibility for PGWP until August 31, 2022.

This means that international students can now complete 100% of the studies online outside Canada. Before this, it was December 2021. This applies even if you’re completing 2 study programs.

In simple words, you can finish 100% of your studies online if the program or programs were ongoing or started between March 2020 and summer 2022.

Study program(s) should be from eligible DLI and are completed within 2 years. However, time spent studying before applying study permit won’t count towards PGWP.

How to determine validity of your PGWP:

You aren’t eligible for a PGWP, if your program was less than 8 months.
Your PGWP will be valid for up to the same length as your study program, if your program was at least 8 months, but less than 2 years. E.g., if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.
Your PGWP will be valid for 3 years, if your program was 2 years or more
Your PGWP will be equivalent to the length combing the length each program, if you completed more than 1 program.

Important: If your passport is about to expire, then you will get PGWP until your passport expires. For e.g., if you are eligible for 3 years PGWP, but your passport will be expiring in 18 months, then you will get PGWP until 18 months only.

International students: we’re extending the time you can study online from outside Canada and have it count towards PGWP eligibility. You can:
✅count the online study time from March 2020 to August 31, 2022
✅complete up to 100% of your studies online and be eligible for a PGWP pic.twitter.com/dtcGlr5Ita
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) November 26, 2021

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.