If I do another course after this one, will I get a two-year visa or just a one plus one year visa in Canada?
Yes, if you complete two separate one year programs in Canada and apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit only after finishing both, IRCC can combine the lengths into a two year work permit. You must not apply after the first course, and both programs must be PGWP eligible.
If your current course and your next course are each one year long, you can generally get a combined two year Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada rather than being stuck with a shorter single year permit. This is called program stacking, and IRCC allows it under specific conditions. Follow the rules below carefully so your two courses actually qualify to be combined.
Conditions For Combining Program Lengths
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Both programs PGWP eligible | Each must be at a designated learning institution and at least 8 months long |
| Completion window | Second program must finish within two years of finishing the first |
| PGWP application timing | You must wait until both programs are complete before applying; applying after the first course blocks combining lengths |
| Status requirement | Continuous, full time student status throughout both programs |
| Maximum PGWP length | 3 years overall, even if stacked programs add up to more |
Steps To Get It Right
- Confirm your second program is also PGWP eligible before you enroll, not after.
- Do not submit a PGWP application after finishing just the first course, since that locks you out of combining the two lengths.
- Extend your study permit to cover the second program instead of applying for a work permit early.
- Check the required language level, such as CLB 7 for university degrees or CLB 5 for other programs, before your final term.
My Advice
Talk to your designated learning institution's international office before you enroll in the second course, and get written confirmation that it is PGWP eligible and DLI-approved, so you avoid the costly mistake of applying for a permit too early and losing the combined two year outcome.
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