Choosing the Best Canadian Institution and Program to Qualify for a PGWP

Many International students choose Canada because of its excellent educational institutions, student-friendly environment, and outstanding living conditions. To fulfil your Canadian dream of living and working in Canada, you must choose the right institution and program. You must understand that not all Canadian institutions and programs are eligible for you to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). To qualify for PGWP, international students are required to attend a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and enroll in a program recognized under PGWP guidelines.

This blog explains how to select a recognized institution and an approved program that can lead to an international student's eligibility for a Canadian work permit, ultimately opening the door to post-study work opportunities in Canada.

How to find out if your institution is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and whether its programs qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

A Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is an institution that a provincial or territorial government officially recognizes for the purpose of admitting international students. If the institution you have selected for your studies is not on the DLI list, your study permit application will be rejected.

To apply for a Canadian study permit, you must first get the official Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The institution must have an active approval status with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) are Open Work Permits (OWPs) that qualify graduates to gain professional experience across various industries and employers in Canada. Students studying PGWP-eligible programs and institutions listed in DLI can work after completing their studies in Canada. It also paves an easy route toward permanent residency. 

How to check whether the institution of your choice is DLI 

1. Visit the IRCC webpage
2. Go to the Government of Canada's Designated Learning Institutions List webpage.
3. Scroll down and select the province or territory that corresponds to your institution's location.
4. Search the institution which you have chosen in the Search Box
5. Find your institution by name, city, or DLI number. 
   Note: The primary and secondary schools in Canada are all DLIs and therefore not included in this list.
6. Once you find your institution:

• Take note of the DLI number (needed for your study permit application)
• Check whether the institution offers PGWP-eligible programs

What to do if you cannot locate your institution in the DLI List

If you are unable to find your chosen institution in the DLI list, then reach out to the institution's admission section to check the status of DLI before you submit your study permit application.

Verifying whether your program qualifies for PGWP

After verifying the Canadian school eligibility by checking the DLI list, you must determine whether the program you have selected is PGWP-eligible. International students must additionally meet the field of study requirement (your program level of study must be in an field related to the occupations currently in demand in Canada) and language proficiency standards (either English or French)

1. College Bachelor’s Degrees:

Language Requirements for PGWP: Proficiency in English or French with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 across all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Field of study requirements: Not Applicable

2. University Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs:

Language Requirements for PGWP: Proficiency in English or French with CLB level 7 across all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Field of study requirements: Not Applicable

3. Other University-Level Programs (not listed above):

Language Requirements for PGWP: Proficiency in English or French with CLB level 7 across all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Field of study requirements: A Program that falls within a designated in-demand field of study.

4. College Diplomas, Certificates, and Other Non-University Programs:

Language Requirements for PGWP: Proficiency in English or French with CLB level 5 across all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Field of study requirements: A Program that falls within a designated in-demand field of study.

Want to Know if Your Program Qualifies for a PGWP?

In Canada, the education programs are classified into a system known as Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP). Every specific field of study has a unique 6-digit CIP code. The code is critical in determining the PGWP eligibility of the program. 

To find the CIP code of your program, go to the Statistics Canada CIP webpage. Enter the keywords such as program name, description, etc. You have to ensure that you find the exact program. An incorrect selection can jeopardize your eligibility for a PGWP as well as your future permanent residency. Hence, consulting professional lawyers is best. After identifying the CIP code, you can verify the PGWP eligibility of the program by checking it against the official list.

What are the conditions for receiving PGWP?

International students are eligible for a PGWP only once in Canada. The program duration and PGWP are interlinked. The length of the PGWP depends on the program type, the level of study, and the duration of study (typically between 8 months and 3 years). If the length of study for Master's programs is at least 8 months long, then you are eligible for PGWP for up to 3 years. For the remaining programs with durations between 8 months and less than 2 years, the PGWP validity is the same as the program duration. For programs other than Master’s that are 2 years or longer, PGWP eligibility is 3 years. In an instance where you have graduated from multiple PGWP-eligible programs, the validity of PGWP may depend on the combined length of both programs.

PGWP eligibility requirements:

1.Institution listed under Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

2. PGWP eligible program

3. Eligible institutions:

• A public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university, CEGEP in Quebec, or a trade or technical institution.
• A Quebec private post-secondary institution offering programs with rules similar to those of public institutions.
• A Quebec private secondary or post-secondary institution offering DEP (diplôme d’études professionnelles) or ASP programs (attestation de spécialisation professionnelle) [minimum 900 hours]
• A private institution that has provincial authorization to grant degrees such as associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, and the student must get a provincially authorized degree upon graduation.

4. Program Length & Type: Complete a full-time academic, professional, or vocational program of at least 8 months, earning a degree, diploma, or certificate.

5. Full-time student requirement status: Staying in full-time student status is necessary during each academic session of the studies.

6. Proof: You must submit a transcript and an official letter from your DLI confirming that you have met the requirements to finish your program.

Furthermore, even if you meet the eligibility criteria, if the admissibility status changes while you are studying, your application may be denied. It may be due to issues such as criminal records, health problems, or political unrest in your home country, which could raise concerns about your temporary stay in Canada.

Conclusion

It is essential to make informed decisions when finalizing a Canadian institution and a program. If you are looking for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, then most importantly, you must see to it that the institution of your study is in the list of DLI and the program is PGWP-recognized. If you do not know where to start, immigration lawyers can aid you in making thoughtful choices.

ImmiLaw Global, immigration lawyers

ImmiLaw Global offers a personalized service for all clients. Understanding what the clients are looking for, we will provide them with quality service that not only matches their individual objectives but is also beneficial for their future. We help our clients choose a Canadian institution and a program with PGWP eligibility, leading to work opportunities and permanent residency in Canada.

Feel free to contact us for your queries.

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