The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows international students who have completed a program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada to work in Canada for up to three years, depending on the length of the program of study.

This program provides an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and may also help international graduates qualify for permanent residency in Canada through various immigration programs.

A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Students who have already received a post-graduation work permit after completing a previous program of study do not qualify to reapply for it.

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must:

• Hold a valid study permit and apply for a PGWP within 90 days of your program completion or your study permit expiry date, whichever comes first; or
  • If you are a holder of a valid visitor record and have held a study permit within the last 180 days, you can apply for a PGWP within 180 days of your program completion from within Canada; or
  • If you have left Canada and have held a study permit within the last 180 days, you can apply for a PGWP from outside of Canada within 180 days of your program completion.

• Complete a program that is at least eight months in duration leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Maintain full-time student status in Canada during each regular term of the program of study you complete.
  • Exceptions can be made only for an authorized leave or part-time study in your final regular term.
  • If spring/summer is a mandatory term in your program, you must remain a full-time student to be eligible for a PGWP.
• Have approval to graduate from College or University (or a confer date for School of Continuing Education international professional development programs).
• Have final transcripts and post-graduation work permit (PGWP) documents from College or University.

Study permit/visitor record

You must have a valid study permit or visitor record to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from within Canada.

If your study permit is set to expire within one month after the end of your last exams, meet with an international student specialist at the beginning of your final term to make a plan for timing your PGWP application appropriately. The length of the post-graduation work permit can vary depending on the length of your program.

Post-graduation work permit document

You may apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) as soon as you receive your final transcripts and either a verification of credential/post-graduation work permit (PGWP) document or a program completion letter for School of Continuing Education international certificates.

Request your verification of credential/post-graduation work permit (PGWP) document from college or University.

The IRCC website provides guidance on how to apply for a post-graduation work permit from within and outside of Canada.

IRCC // APPLYING FOR A WORK PERMIT – STUDENT GUIDE 

Eligibility

You may be eligible to work full time after you have submitted your PGWP application and while you are waiting for a decision from IRCC, only if:

• At the time of your application, you were the holder of a valid study permit with a condition or remark of R186 (w) and applied for your PGWP within 90 days after your graduation approval date or confer date (SCE International PD).
• You did not work at all between your graduation approval date or confer date (SCE International PD) and submitting your PGWP application.
• You were always a full-time student during your studies, except if you were a part-time student during your final term or you were on authorized leave.

To find out if you are eligible to work while waiting for the decision of your PGWP application, book an appointment with an international student specialist at your respective college or University.

Additional considerations

STUDY PERMIT EXPIRY

If you are in your last term, you must make sure that your study permit is valid for three months after you complete your program. This will allow you to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and start working when you submit your PGWP application. If your current study permit expires before the decision is made on your PGWP application, you can continue working. This period is referred to as “authorization to work without a permit” as per R186(w).

The graduation verification processes at the university can take up to 6 weeks after your last exam. If you are applying for the PGWP you must ensure your study permit remains valid while you wait for the documents you need for your PGWP application. If you don’t apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) before your study permit expires, you must either change your status to Visitor or apply for status restoration.

If your study permit expires and you do not change your status to Visitor, you have a 90-day grace period to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and restore your student status.

To restore your student status, you must apply for study permit restoration and the PGWP simultaneously online and pay the applicable fees within the 90-day grace period. The fees must be paid online, and you must attach a copy of the receipt to the PGWP application due to system limitations. You cannot work until your study permit and work permit have been approved. If you fail to apply within 90 days or the 90-day grace period has already passed, you must leave Canada.

TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF CANADA

Although you may be able to leave Canada after applying for your PGWP and return to work, we strongly recommend you remain in Canada while waiting for a decision on your PGWP application.

If there is an urgent situation that requires you to leave Canada while waiting for a PGWP application decision, book an appointment with your college’s international student specialist to discuss the travel documents you must have or should carry with you when you travel back to Canada.

• Apply to extend your Social Insurance Number
• Be sure to apply for a Health Card in your respective province.
• Apply for a new Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) to enter Canada (if you are from a visa-required country)

The IRCC website provides guidance on how to apply for a post-graduation work permit from within and outside of Canada.

IRCC // WORK IN CANADA AFTER YOUR PGWP APPLICATION