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Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility 

Important Update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), continues to make policy changes to the International Student Program, including PGWP eligibility and application requirements.

The latest update was announced on July 4, 2025. More information is available on the IRCC website.

Your eligibility for a PGWP depends on your program of study, the date you submitted your study permit application or PGWP application and meeting the minimum language proficiency required by the government.

You can view the current list of Seneca programs that are eligible for a PGWP here. This list is subject to change and will continue to be updated.

We are here to support you in navigating these changes and have prepared FAQs to help you. More information will be added as it becomes available.

For advisement on PGWP eligibility, connect with an immigration specialist by contacting theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca or you can book an appointment here.

You can also join our Ask Us Webinar to learn more.

Last updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

PGWP Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must complete a degree program or another program that meets the field of study requirements, based on the date of your Seneca study permit application or your PGWP application, as outlined under ‘Important Dates for PGWP Eligibility’. You must also:

  • be in Canada for the complete duration of your studies; time spent studying outside of Canada will be deducted from the length of your PGWP
  • attend at least 50 per cent of your program in class – in class options include in-person, hybrid and flexible courses; for flexible courses, you must plan to attend your class on campus
  • meet the minimum language proficiency required by IRCC, which is a Canadian Language Benchmark 5 (CLB5) for graduates of certificate, diploma, advanced diplomas, or graduate certificates; and Canadian Language Benchmark 7 (CLB7) for graduates of degree programs
  • meet all other PGWP requirements

Learn more about course delivery information for each Seneca program.

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Important Dates for PGWP Eligibility

Date of Seneca study permit application or PGWP application Eligible for PGWP?

Before November 1, 2024

 All full-time academic programs
On or after November 1, 2024, or June 25, 2025 Selected programs

 

Date of study permit extension application Eligible for PGWP?

Before November 1, 2024

 All full-time academic programs

On or after November 1, 2024, or June 25, 2025

To study in your original PGWP-eligible program (including if you transfer to the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Stream)

Yes

To study a different or subsequent program

Selected programs

To change Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Selected programs

Note: If you require a study permit extension to study a different program or at a different DLI than was indicated on your original Letter of Acceptance (LOA) when you applied to the IRCC for your study permit, your PGWP may be negatively impacted.