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How many months of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) do you get after a 16-month program?

Canada • Post-Graduation Work Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Proof of program length/completion

    Used by IRCC to determine PGWP length based on total program duration.

Step-by-Step

Group members confirmed a specific PGWP length rule for a 16-month program:

  1. A 16-month program is treated as equivalent to a 2-year program for PGWP purposes (since it crosses the 2-academic-year threshold under IRCC's rules).

  2. This qualifies you for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit, not a permit matching the literal 16-month program length.


This matches IRCC's general PGWP framework: programs of 8 months to under 2 years typically receive a PGWP equal to the program length, while programs of 2 years or more (or that otherwise qualify under combined program rules) can receive the maximum 3-year PGWP. Always double check against the current IRCC PGWP eligibility tool for your specific program, since rules can be updated.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Tip: A program just over the 2-year threshold (like 16+ months combined with other conditions) can qualify for the maximum 3-year PGWP rather than a permit matching the literal program length.
  • Do: Verify your program's PGWP eligibility using IRCC's official PGWP tool before assuming the group's answer applies exactly to your case.

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