Post Graduation Work Permit in Canada for Indian Students (2024)

April 16, 2024

Ishita Soni

How to Get Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit

Canada offers a range of benefits to international students, and among them is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. Furthermore, eligible students who have finished their studies at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada can apply for this program. Intrigued to learn more? Well, let’s delve into what the PGWP entails, who is eligible to apply, and its duration.

Steps to Apply for Post Graduation Work Permit

• Step 1: Check your eligibility
• Step 2: Arrange for all the documents
• Step 3: Apply for the visa
• Step 4: Get the work permit
• Step 5: Work in Canada

Check Your Eligibility for PGWP

• 18 years old or more.
• Done a course in Canada for at least eight months.
• The program must have been completed at DLI.
• Apply within 90 days of graduation.
• Hold a valid study permit

Why Apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit ?

A post-graduation work permit is a special permission for international students who complete their studies in Canada. Consequently, it allows them to work in Canada without requiring a job offer. Furthermore, they have the freedom to work full-time, select their workplace, and begin their career journey. Additionally, it serves as a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency, giving them an edge over other work permits when seeking employment opportunities.

Who Can Apply for a PGWP?

To qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in Canada, you must have completed a full-time study program at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, resulting in a degree, diploma, or certificate.

However, starting September 1, 2024, a change comes into effect. If you enroll in a study program at a public-private partnership institution after this date, you won’t be eligible for a PGWP. Nonetheless, if you’re already studying at one of these institutions before September 1, 2024, you can still apply for a PGWP upon program completion.

What If My Study Permit Expires Before I Get My Marks, Degree, or Diploma?

If your study permit in Canada is about to expire, you have a few options. Firstly, you can apply for a visitor record, which allows you to stay in Canada as a student authorized to study without needing a study permit. Simultaneously, you can also apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Alternatively, you can leave Canada before your study permit expires and apply for a PGWP from your home country or another overseas location.

However, if your study permit has already expired, you still have a bit of time. Within 90 days after it expires, you can apply for a PGWP. Nevertheless, you’ll need to restore your status as a student first. Restoring your status comes with an additional fee of C$379 (as of March 2024). However, if you don’t apply to renew your student status within those 90 days, you’ll have to leave Canada.

Extending your Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

To make applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) easier, it’s important to check that your passport is valid until after your PGWP ends. Consequently, if your passport expires before your PGWP, the government can only give you a PGWP that lasts until your passport expires.

However, if your passport does expire earlier and your PGWP ends prematurely because of it, you can try to extend it. Usually, you can only do this if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tells you to, and you have to apply by filling out paper forms.

Get in touch with SPS Canada

Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).

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