Is the personal support worker course aligned with post-graduate work permit (PGWP) eligibility?
Yes, a Personal Support Worker course can qualify for Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit if it is at least 8 months long, delivered by a Designated Learning Institution, and falls under an eligible healthcare CIP code such as 51.2699, so confirm your program's exact code before enrolling.
Yes, your Personal Support Worker course can be PGWP eligible, but eligibility depends on your program's exact 6 digit CIP code and not just its title. The course must run for at least 8 months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and fall under a field IRCC currently lists as eligible.
What decides PSW to PGWP eligibility
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program length | At least 8 months, full-time |
| Institution type | Must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), usually a public college |
| Eligible field | Healthcare and social services category, CIP code 51.2699, health aides, attendants, orderlies |
| PGWP length | Matches program duration, for example a 1 year PSW course typically gives a 1 year PGWP |
| Application window | Must apply within 180 days of completing the program |
Exceptions and how to confirm your own program
- Study permit timing: if you applied for your study permit since before November 1, 2024, the field of study requirement generally does not apply to you.
- Degree holders: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates do not need to meet the field of study requirement at all.
- Ask the college: request your program's exact 6 digit CIP code in writing and check it against IRCC's current PGWP eligible field list before you commit.
My Advice
Do not rely on a college's marketing that says a course is PGWP eligible. Ask the admissions office to confirm the CIP code in writing and cross check it yourself on IRCC's current list, since the same sounding PSW program name can carry different CIP codes at different colleges.
How long can you stay and work after a Canadian master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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