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Study in New ZealandCanada’s PGWP Field-of-Study Rules: The Mistake That Costs Students Three Years
Choosing a program that does not qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit is the most expensive error an international student can make in Canada. Here is how to check before you enrol.
What the PGWP is worth
The Post-Graduation Work Permit gives graduates up to three years of open work rights in Canada. That Canadian work experience is the ingredient that makes Express Entry and most Provincial Nominee streams achievable. Without a PGWP, a Canadian qualification is just a qualification.
The rule most students miss
Degree programs at public universities generally qualify regardless of field. For college diplomas, certificates and other non-degree programs, the field of study must appear on the eligible list. That list is tied to labour market needs and it changes.
How to check properly
Confirm three things in writing before you pay a deposit: that the institution is a Designated Learning Institution, that the specific program credential qualifies for a PGWP, and — for non-degree programs — that the field of study is currently eligible. An institution’s marketing page is not evidence.
The Provincial Attestation Letter
Most study permit applicants also need a PAL or TAL from the province where they will study. Your institution requests it as part of admission. An application lodged without one, where one is required, is returned rather than assessed.
What to budget
The study permit fee is C$150 plus C$85 for biometrics. You must evidence roughly C$20,635 in living costs for twelve months as a single applicant outside Quebec, on top of your first year of tuition. This threshold is reviewed annually, typically effective 1 September.
Verify before you act
Government fees, financial thresholds and visa rules change frequently and often at short notice. Everything in this article is correct to the best of our knowledge as at 14 August 2026. Before you make a financial decision, confirm the current position with us or with the relevant government department.
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