Studying and Working in Canada: Co-op Work Permit Exemption, 24-Hour Weekly Limit, and New PGWP Rules

The bottom line is: the differences between pursuing a "degree" and a "college diploma" in Canada are becoming increasingly significant when it comes to working during studies and staying to work after graduation. Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) are not restricted by the field of study list, and the language requirement is CLB 7; for college programs, eligibility depends on whether the major is on the list, with a language requirement of CLB 5. Additionally, from April 1, 2026, post-secondary students participating in program-required co-ops no longer need to apply for a separate co-op work permit.

Below, we have organized the current regulations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) into two sections: "during studies" and "after graduation." The following information is current as of October 4, 2026.

1. Co-ops and Internships: Post-Secondary Students No Longer Need a Separate Co-op Work Permit

Previously, international students whose programs required paid co-ops or internships had to apply for a separate co-op work permit in addition to their study permit. IRCC announced that starting April 1, 2026, eligible international students at post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, etc.) participating in program-required internships will no longer need a separate work permit. According to IRCC, this simply removes an unnecessary administrative step and does not increase the number of students authorized to work.

The prerequisites for not needing a separate work permit, as listed by IRCC, include (all must be met simultaneously):

• Holding a valid study permit, or having applied for an extension before the current permit expires;
• A letter from the school (DLI) confirming that the internship is a mandatory requirement of the program;
• Enrolled full-time in an academic, vocational, or professional training program;
• The internship component does not exceed 50% of the total program length;
• The initial conditions on the study permit allow working on campus.

If a student originally met the criteria but the conditions on their study permit are worded incorrectly, they can apply for a correction for free. The wording provided on the IRCC page is "May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria."

There is no weekly hour limit for program-required internships, as long as the total duration does not exceed 50% of the program.

The following situations do not apply:

• Enrolled exclusively in English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) programs;
• Enrolled exclusively in general interest courses;
• Enrolled exclusively in preparatory courses for entering another program;
• Secondary school students: International students in Canadian secondary schools participating in internships still need to apply for a co-op work permit.

For co-op work permit applications submitted before April 1, 2026, that have not yet been processed, students do not need to take any action; IRCC will automatically withdraw eligible applications.

2. Off-Campus Work: Maximum 24 Hours per Week During Classes

Regular part-time jobs that are not required by the program fall under the "off-campus work" rules. The main conditions listed by IRCC are:

• Enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI) with a valid study permit;
• The program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate;
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN);
• The study permit conditions explicitly allow off-campus work (e.g., "May work 24 hours per week off campus").

Working Hour Regulations:

Period	Off-Campus Work Limit
During regular academic sessions	Up to 24 hours per week; can hold multiple jobs, but total hours must not exceed 24
Scheduled school breaks (winter/summer holidays, reading week, etc.)	Unlimited

A few points to note:

• Working more than 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions violates study permit conditions, and IRCC explicitly states this could result in the loss of student status.
• Students enrolled exclusively in ESL/FSL, general interest, or preparatory programs cannot work off-campus.
• If the final term consists of only a few courses and the student switches to part-time, they can still work off-campus as long as they were full-time in all previous terms.
• Students cannot work off-campus during an authorized leave of absence or while transferring schools and not actively enrolled.

3. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Differences Between Degrees and College Diplomas

Basic Requirements. General PGWP requirements include: completing a program of at least 8 months at an eligible DLI (900 hours in Quebec); maintaining full-time status each academic session (the final session can be part-time); applying within 180 days of confirming program completion; and holding a valid study permit at some point during those 180 days. Those who only took language courses, have previously received a PGWP, or completed more than half of their program remotely (with pandemic exceptions) are not eligible.

Permit Duration. For programs lasting 8 months to less than 2 years, the PGWP duration matches the program length; for programs of 2 years or more, a 3-year permit can be issued. Master's degree programs are an exception: as long as the program is at least 8 months and other conditions are met, a 3-year PGWP can be applied for even if the program is under 2 years. Additionally, the permit validity will not exceed the passport expiration date.

Language and Field of Study Requirements, Categorized by Program Type:

Program Type	Language Requirement (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing)	Field of Study List Requirement
Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees	CLB 7 / NCLC 7	No restrictions
Other (non-degree) university programs	CLB 7 / NCLC 7	Must meet
College, polytechnic, and other non-university programs	CLB 5 / NCLC 5	Must meet

A few clarifications:

• The field of study list only applies to non-degree programs. The IRCC page specifies that bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree graduates do not need to meet field of study requirements. For college diplomas, certificates, and similar programs, the graduation major must be related to long-term shortage occupations, and proof must be uploaded with the application. The list covers areas such as agriculture and agri-food, education, healthcare, and social services. Specific majors must be checked individually on the IRCC page.
• 2026 List Freeze. IRCC states that no eligible fields of study will be added or removed in 2026. This means the list will remain unchanged throughout 2026; any adjustments from 2027 onward will depend on official updates.
• Protection of Old Rules. Study permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024, are not subject to field of study requirements; PGWP applications submitted before November 1, 2024, are not subject to language requirements.

4. Spousal Work Permits: Only Available for Students in Specific Programs

The eligibility for a student's spouse or common-law partner to apply for an open work permit has also been tightened since January 21, 2025. Currently, the student must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• Master's degree programs of 16 months or longer;
• Doctoral degree programs;
• Designated professional degrees, such as Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), Doctor of Optometry (OD), Pharmacy, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN/BSN/BNSc/BN), or Bachelor of Education (BEd);
• Several pilot programs listed by IRCC (e.g., the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, etc.).

The spousal work permit validity usually matches the student's study permit. For regular undergraduate programs, college diplomas, and master's programs shorter than 16 months, the student's spouse generally cannot apply for an open work permit through this route.

5. Degree vs. College: How to View These Differences

Looking at the above points together:

Item	Undergraduate/Master's/Doctoral Degrees	College Diplomas, Certificates
Off-campus work during studies	24 hours per week, unlimited during breaks	Same as above (program must be at least 6 months and lead to a certificate)
Program-required co-op	No separate work permit needed from 2026-04-01	Same as above
PGWP field of study list	No restrictions	Must be on the list
PGWP language requirement	CLB 7	CLB 5
Spousal open work permit	Eligible for master's (16+ months), doctoral, and designated professional degrees	Generally not eligible

A few recommendations for families:

• Check the field of study list before choosing a college program. If you plan to work in Canada after graduation, whether the college program's major is on the PGWP list is a crucial factor in course selection. The list is frozen in 2026 but may be adjusted later. Since enrollment and graduation are often a year or two apart, keep an eye on any changes.
• Don't just look at the admission language cutoff for test scores. Degree-based PGWP requires a minimum of CLB 7 in all four skills, which may not align with the school's admission language requirements. Prepare for the test aiming for the minimum score in all four sections.
• Work must not affect academics and status. The 24-hour weekly limit is a hard cap, and full-time status must be maintained.
• If planning to bring a spouse, check the program type and length. Whether a master's program is at least 16 months long will directly affect the spouse's ability to work.

This article is for policy information purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. IRCC regulations are subject to change at any time; please refer to the latest information on the official website.

Need Help?

If you are comparing university degrees and college programs in Canada and want to choose a school and major based on the Post-Graduation Work Permit and future plans, check out our Canada University Admissions Services, or Book a consultation. If you need to improve your language scores, you can also learn about our IELTS training.

References

• IRCC：Simplifying the co-op work permit requirement for post-secondary international students
• IRCC：Work in a student work placement
• IRCC：Work off campus as an international student
• IRCC：Post-graduation work permit – Eligibility
• IRCC：Post-graduation work permit – Field of study requirement
• IRCC：About the post-graduation work permit
• IRCC：Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada