Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published an updated list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) whose programmes make international students eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is a highly sought-after immigration pathway that allows international graduates to work in Canada for up to three years after completing their studies. This list will aid prospective students in making informed decisions about their education and future work opportunities in Canada.
The published list spans all 13 Canadian provinces and territories, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. Prospective students can search the official IRCC portal by selecting a province or territory to view the eligible institutions within that region. This will enable them to make informed decisions about their educational and career goals.
Ontario and British Columbia, which already attract the largest share of international students in the country, are both represented on the list. These provinces offer a wide range of academic programmes and are home to many reputable institutions. International students who wish to study in these provinces can now easily access information about the institutions and programmes that qualify for the PGWP.
However, the Canadian government has stressed that being included on the DLI list does not mean every programme an institution offers will qualify a student for the PGWP. Individual programme eligibility must be confirmed separately before a student enrols. This is a crucial distinction that prospective students must be aware of to avoid disappointment or ineligibility for the permit.
For students from Ghana and across Africa who are considering higher education abroad with long-term work ambitions in Canada, selecting a non-qualifying programme would render them ineligible for the permit, regardless of which institution they attended. Therefore, it is essential for students to verify the eligibility of their chosen programme before applying.
The full, searchable list of PGWP-eligible DLIs is available on the official IRCC website, where users can filter results by province or territory before making any application or enrolment decisions. This resource will enable prospective students to make informed decisions about their educational and career goals in Canada.
In a related development, Canada has extended temporary immigration restrictions affecting residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, citing ongoing concerns about the spread of Ebola. The restrictions, which were initially implemented to mitigate the risk of Ebola transmission, have been extended until November 27, 2026.
Key points
- The list of DLIs whose programmes qualify international students for the PGWP covers all 13 Canadian provinces and territories.
- Prospective students must verify the eligibility of their chosen programme before applying to ensure they are eligible for the PGWP.
- The restrictions on residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan have been extended until November 27, 2026, due to ongoing Ebola concerns.
