Age
Applicant must be 18 years old or above while applying.
Post Graduation Work Permit
The Essential Guide for PGWP Application
Understand all you need after you are done with your studies in Canada!
consult Now
Latest Updates on PGWP
Whether you’ve just graduated or are nearing the end of your studies, this page will give you all the information you need to successfully apply for a PGWP and start your career in Canada!
-Effective September 1, 2024, the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program will undergo significant modifications. Students embarking on a study program within a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon graduation.
Duration
Must have finished a minimum of eight months of program.
DLI
Must have completed from a Designated Learning Institution approved by IRCC.
Timeline
Must hold valid study permit and apply within 90 days of program completion.
BY TEAM SPS CANADA
What’s Next?
Things to Consider after you graduate
Once you apply for your PGWP, time is limited to gain Canadian experience and prepare for permanent residency. Our Senior Immigration Practitioner will guide you from the scratch, helping you plan your path to Permanent Residency. Remember: Post 2024, Its important to channelize your Pathway ASAP
consult Now
#TheProcess
Learn How to Apply for PGWP
Learn how to apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) all by yourself with this comprehensive, step-by-step guide! In this video, we’ll walk you through the entire process of applying for a PGWP in Canada, from gathering the necessary documents to submitting your application online.
Learn from Mentors
Resourceful Videos for PGWP
Guide: The Process
PNPs after PGWP
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows workers with the skills, education, and work experience needed by a specific province or territory to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Each province and territory has its own streams, targeting groups like students, business people, skilled workers, and semi-skilled workers.
The application process varies depending on the stream, with options including the Express Entry process or a non-Express Entry process. To apply, check your eligibility, get a nomination from your chosen province or territory, and, if nominated, apply for permanent residence through the appropriate portal. Feel free to connect with our counsellors for the same.
Essentials: Canada's PGWP
PGWP Quick Facts
– A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be valid from 8 months up to 3 years.
– The PGWP duration cannot exceed the length of your study program in Canada.
– Typically, the PGWP is issued for the same length as your study period, up to a maximum of 3 years.
– If over 50% of your studies were in-person, your PGWP will match your program’s duration.
– For part-time or accelerated studies, your PGWP will reflect the full-time equivalent length of your program.
This permit allows eligible graduates to gain essential Canadian work experience. With sufficient experience, many international graduates become eligible for permanent residency through various pathways, including:
Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker | Federal Skilled Trades | PNP
Latest News & FAQs
A PGWP can take 80 to 180 days to process. If you applied before your student permit expires, you can work in Canada while waiting.
You have 180 days from finishing your studies to apply for your PGWP.
You can now apply for a PGWP from outside Canada if you leave after your studies. However, if you apply from abroad, you might need to provide extra documents, depending on the visa office.
You can start job hunting before getting your PGWP if you:
- Studied full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in an eligible program.
- Finished your program of study.
- Stayed within the allowed work hours (both on-campus and off-campus).
Note: If your PGWP application is refused, you must stop working right away.
If you have a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you can travel to and from Canada freely while applying for a PGWP.
Graduating from a Canadian DLI does not automatically guarantee a PGWP. IRCC can refuse applications for various reasons.
- Required Documents: You must submit one of these:
- An official letter from your DLI
- An official transcript
- A copy of your transcript from the DLI’s website
- Study Gaps: Unexplained gaps in your studies can lead to refusal. Ensure any break is formally authorized.
- Application Timing: Apply within 180 days of receiving your final grades. Late applications will be refused.
- Legal Status: Maintain a valid study permit during the 180-day application period. If your permit expires, you must restore your status or apply from outside Canada.
A PGWP can take anywhere from 80 to 180 days to process. While waiting for your PGWP, you are free to work in Canada provided you applied prior to the expiry date of your student permit.
Yes, If you leave Canada after your studies have been completed, you can now apply for a PGWP from overseas. Previously post-graduation work permit applications needed to be submitted exclusively from within Canada.
Ensure that your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
If your passport expires before your PGWP, we will:
- Issue a PGWP that is only valid until your passport’s expiration date.
- Inform you if you need to extend your PGWP to receive its full validity.
You can only extend your PGWP if we instruct you to do so. If this situation occurs, you must apply on paper to extend your PGWP to its full duration.
If your PGWP is nearing its expiration, you have two options:
- Apply for a PGWP extension.
- Apply for one of the various Permanent Residency programs available for graduates of Canadian learning institutions.
To determine if you qualify for an extension, please refer to our article on Work Permit Extension for PGWP Holders. If you need information on how to extend your PGWP, get in touch with us today.
You can only apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once. If you plan to pursue another program that builds on your first, or if you’re thinking about enrolling in a longer degree program in Canada, it’s wise to consider the timing of your PGWP application. Applying after completing the longest period of study will give you a PGWP with a longer validity, up to a maximum of three years.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on 21 June 2024 that, effective immediately, international students may no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the Canadian border.
To work in Canada after graduation, you’ll need a work permit. Graduates from specific designated learning institutions may qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). If you’re not eligible for a PGWP, there may still be other ways for you to work in Canada after finishing your studies.
Ankit Vadaliy
Abhinav Arnold
Kevin Balar
Kushagra Soni
Navin Davis
Pooja Patni
Nidhika Verma
Anastasiia
Pragya Munjal
Fairy Christian
Jay B Parmar
Harsh Pujara
Jenies Christian
Sara Costa
Shahoon Akhtar
Adarsh Reddy