After graduation: post-study work and PR pathways
An overview of Canada's PGWP and Australia's subclass 485, and how to plan realistically.
1 min read🇨🇦 Canada · 🇦🇺 Australia
Post-study work and PR rules have changed a lot since 2024. Treat this as an overview. Check the eligibility rules for your exact program before you enrol, not after you graduate.
Canada – Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
- Its length usually matches your program's length, up to 3 years. Graduates of a master's program of at least 8 months can get a 3-year PGWP.
- The program and school must be PGWP-eligible. Not all are.
- Language test required (applications from 1 November 2024): CLB 7 in all four skills for bachelor's, master's and PhD graduates; CLB 5 for college and other non-degree graduates.
- Degree graduates have no field-of-study requirement. Most college (non-degree) programs must be in a field linked to occupations in long-term shortage. Check before you enrol.
- PR pathways include Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. Canadian work experience helps.
Australia – Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates.
- Its length depends on your qualification. You generally must be 35 or under when you apply (some exceptions), and English requirements apply.
- Your course must meet the Australian study requirement (usually at least 2 academic years).
- Skilled migration is points-tested and depends on occupation lists that change.
Choose a course because it builds a career you want, in Nepal or abroad. Plans built only around PR are fragile when rules change mid-degree.
Official sources
Rules change often. Always confirm with the official source before you submit anything.
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