Post Graduate Work Permit

The PGWP allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in the national occupational code 0, A or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class, within Express Entry.

Post Graduation Work Permit validity and application

Post-graduation work permits are exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessments. They are considered open and coded as C43.

With a post-graduation work permit, as with all open work permits, graduates can

– work full time
– work part-time
– be self-employed

A post-graduation work permit may be issued based on the length of the study program for a minimum of 8 months up to a maximum of 3 years.

When determining the length of a post-graduation work permit, officers may consider the duration of the program of study in Canada and confirm it with supporting documents. Regularly scheduled breaks should be included in the time accumulated toward the length of the post-graduation work permit.

Determining the length of the post-graduation work permit

The validity period of the post-graduation work permit may not go beyond the applicant’s passport validity date. If the applicant’s passport expires before the validity period of the post-graduation work permit, the officer should note this reason in the “Notes” box, in the Global Case Management System. The post-graduation work permit applicant then has to apply for a work permit extension upon the renewal of their passport to receive the full validity of their post-graduation work permit.

Post-graduation work permits can be extended only when the length of the permit could not be provided at the time of the application, due to the expiry date of the applicant’s passport.

Accelerated studies

If a student completes their studies in less time than the normal length of the program (that is, they have accelerated their studies), the post-graduation work permit should be assessed on the length of the program of study.

Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements

Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime.

To obtain a post-graduation work permit, the applicant must currently hold valid temporary status or have left Canada. They must have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI). They must also submit clear evidence that they meet all the following criteria:

– They have completed an academic, vocational, or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
– They have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or programs of study they have completed and submitted as part of their post-graduation work permit application.
– They have received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that they have met the requirements to complete their program of study.

Note: The transcript and official letter must be included in a post-graduation work permit application.

  Within 180 days of the date of applying for the post-graduation work permit, applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

– They hold a valid study permit.

– They held a study permit.

– They were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit

Ineligible Applicants

Students are ineligible if they:

– Have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit

– 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 most 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 their length of stay in Canada.