Post Graduation Work Permit
As part of its efforts to attract and retain international students as immigrants, Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The PGWP is an open work permit that allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer without the need for a job offer. It is available to international students who have completed their studies at Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) enables international graduates to stay in Canada and work full-time for a period of up to three years after completing their studies at a Canadian post-secondary institution. The duration of the work permit is determined based on the length of the program the student has completed. This work permit offers a valuable opportunity for international graduates to pursue their professional aspirations and gain Canadian work experience, which can be advantageous when applying for permanent residence in Canada.
PGWP- Key Points
- The PGWP is available for graduates of post-secondary programs, including diplomas, degrees, and certain certificate programs.
- International graduates have a limited timeframe to apply for the PGWP. It is recommended to apply within 180 days (six months) of completing the program.
- A post-graduation work permit can be valid for any length of time between eight months and three years.
- The PGWP is considered an open work permit, which means that graduates can work for any employer in Canada and are not restricted to a specific job or location.
- Generally, the PGWP will be approximately the same duration as the applicant’s period of study, up to a maximum of three years.
- As long as more than 50% of your program of study is conducted via in-person classes, you are eligible for a PGWP equal to the duration of your program of study.
- If you studied part-time, or did accelerated studies, the length of your PGWP will be the length of your program of study, if taken full-time.
- International students can only receive ONE Post-Graduation Work Permit. You cannot get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.
- Applicants who apply for a PGWP prior to the expiration of their study permit are eligible to begin working full time immediately, while their application is processing (i.e., you do not need to have a work permit while awaiting a decision on your PGWP application).
- If you leave Canada after your studies have been completed, you can also apply for a PGWP from overseas.
- Graduates who hold a valid PGWP may be eligible to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for an open work permit.
PGWP Application- Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have:
- Completed a program of study from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that lasted at least eight months and led to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- Studied full-time each academic session (excludes scheduled breaks), with two exceptions:
- You studied part-time in your final academic session only.
- You took an authorized leave in studies for less than 150 days.
- Received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the applicant has met the requirements to complete their program of study.
- Graduated from a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, a trade or technical school, a university, CEGEP (in Quebec), a private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec, a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer and results in the issuance of a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) or a Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.
- Valid study permit or applied for its extension or eligible for its restoration at the time of application.
Authorized leave from studies?
There are a few cases where you may be able to take a leave of up to a maximum of 150 days from your program of studies and still be considered to be actively pursuing your studies. Following conditions and/or circumstances may be considered as an authorized leave:
- Your school has authorized a leave from your study program for medical reasons or pregnancy, family emergency, death/serious illness of a family member or any other type of leave your school authorizes.
- Your school has closed permanently or because of a strike.
- You have changed schools.
- You or your school deferred your program start date. In this case, you must start your studies the next semester, even if it starts sooner than 150 days, and get an updated letter of acceptance.
You can not work on or off campus during an authorized leave from your study program, even if your study permit says you are allowed to work in Canada.
Application deadline for PGWP
The deadline to apply for the PGWP is within 180 days upon obtaining a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the requirements to complete the program of study have been met.
When applying, applicants must demonstrate that they either hold a valid study permit, held a study permit, or were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraphs 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
If you stay in Canada and let your permit expire, you must apply to restore your status as a student to apply for your PGWP
Special cases
If you are in any of these groups, you may be eligible for a PGWP:
Accelerated programs
If you complete your study program in less time than the normal length of the program, you may be eligible for a PGWP valid for the full length of your program. For example, if you complete a 1-year study program in 8 months, you may be able to get a PGWP valid for 1 year.
Distance learning
If distance learning makes up less than 50% of your study program, you may be eligible for a PGWP. The length of the PGWP would match the length of your program, including both in-class and distance courses. Any distance courses completed outside Canada will not be included in the length of the PGWP. If distance learning makes up more than 50% of your study program, you are not eligible for a PGWP.
Transfers between schools
If you transferred between designated learning institutions (DLIs), the combined length of your studies must be at least 8 months to be eligible.
If you transferred from a non-DLI to a DLI, only the time you spend studying at the DLI will be counted. You must spend at least 8 months at the DLI to be eligible for a PGWP.
Canadian study programs with an overseas component
If your study program has an overseas component, you may be eligible for a PGWP as long as you earn a credit from a Canadian school for it. The PGWP will only be valid for the length of the time you studied in Canada.
Ineligible PGWP Applicants
International students are ineligible for the PGWP Program if they:
- Have previously been issued a PGWP.
- Studied English or French as a second language.
- Took general interest or self-improvement courses.
- Received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
- Participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC.
- Obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile.
- Participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchange Program.
- Participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program.
- Completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning.
- Completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of the length of stay in Canada.