If I enroll in a master's program in Canada that lasts at least 2 years, how long will my initial study permit be valid for, and what's the maximum duration of the post-study work permit I can apply for afterwards?

The 90 day buffer on your study permit and the 3 year cap on the Post-Graduation Work Permit are two separate rules that combine to give most 2 year master's students roughly 5 years of authorised time in Canada across study and post-study work.

Study Permit Length

Your initial study permit generally covers your program's full duration plus an extra 90 days. For a 2 year master's, that means a study permit valid for approximately 2 years and 3 months, with the additional days meant to give you time to either leave Canada or apply to extend or change your status after graduation.

Post-Graduation Work Permit Length

• Programs of 2 years or longer: generally qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit valid for up to 3 years.
• Passport validity matters: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can issue a shorter permit if your passport expires sooner, so renewing your passport before applying is worth doing.
• Eligibility is not automatic: you still need to meet the applicable requirements, including current language and program conditions, at the time you apply.

Putting the Timeline Together

A student starting a 2 year master's could reasonably expect roughly 2 years and 3 months on the study permit, followed by up to 3 years on the Post-Graduation Work Permit, for a combined stretch close to 5 years of legal status in Canada before needing to pursue permanent residence or another pathway.

My Advice

Check your passport's expiry date well before you apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, and renew it first if it expires within the next 3 years, since a short passport validity is one of the more avoidable reasons students get a shorter permit than they expected. Apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit as soon as you receive your final transcript or confirmation of program completion, rather than waiting, since processing delays can eat into your work authorisation window.

This Information Is Also Available On

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.