Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada

Overview

Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program gives eligible international graduates an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies. The permit may be valid for up to three years, depending on the type and length of the completed program and the expiry date of the applicant’s passport.

Because it is an open work permit, a PGWP is not normally tied to one employer or occupation. This flexibility can help graduates enter the Canadian labour market and build the skilled work history required by some economic immigration programs.

Not every program offered by a designated learning institution qualifies. Before applying, graduates should confirm that both their institution and their specific program are PGWP-eligible.

Can I Study Overseas and Still Be Eligible for a PGWP?

Distance-learning rules depend on when the program or study permit application began. The temporary COVID-19 policies that permitted extensive overseas online study have ended.

For a program with a lock-in date on or after September 1, 2024, a student must generally complete at least 50% of the program in class in Canada. Time spent studying outside Canada is deducted when IRCC calculates the potential length of the PGWP. Time studied online from outside Canada after August 31, 2024 does not count toward the permit’s length.

Different transitional rules may apply to programs started between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2024, and limited COVID-era exceptions may still matter for older study histories. A careful review is important when a program included online study, an overseas component, a transfer, or time spent outside Canada.

What Are the PGWP Eligibility Requirements?

To meet the general requirements, an applicant must normally:

• Complete a PGWP-eligible academic, vocational, or professional program at an eligible designated learning institution.
• Complete a program lasting at least eight months, or at least 900 hours for certain Quebec credentials.
• Maintain full-time student status during each academic semester, with part-time study generally permitted in the final semester.
• Receive written confirmation and a transcript showing that the program requirements were completed.
• Apply within 180 days after the school confirms program completion.
• Have held a valid study permit at some point during those 180 days, unless a specific exception applies.

Language requirements

Most applicants submitting a PGWP application on or after November 1, 2024 must provide approved English or French language test results. Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and other university graduates generally require at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in each of the four language abilities. College, polytechnic, and other non-university graduates generally require at least CLB or NCLC 5 in each ability.

Field-of-study requirements

Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree graduates are not subject to a field-of-study requirement. Graduates of other university, college, polytechnic, or non-university programs may need to complete a program in an eligible field of study if their study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024.

Public-private curriculum licensing programs

Programs delivered by a private college on behalf of a public institution are generally not PGWP-eligible. Limited transition exceptions depend on the province and the date studies began. The name of the public institution on a credential does not by itself establish PGWP eligibility.

Who may not qualify?

A person is generally not eligible if they already received a PGWP, completed a non-eligible program, studied only English or French as a second language, completed general-interest or most non-credit courses, exceeded permitted distance learning, or failed to comply with study permit conditions. Unauthorized leave from studies can also affect eligibility. Some special cases and authorized leaves may be accepted when properly documented.

How Long Is a PGWP Valid?

The final validity period is decided by IRCC and cannot extend beyond passport validity. General guidelines include:

• Programs shorter than eight months: generally not eligible, subject to specific Quebec and special-case rules.
• Programs from eight months to less than two years: a permit may be issued for up to the same length as the program.
• Master’s degree programs: an eligible master’s program lasting at least eight months may qualify for a three-year PGWP even when the program is under two years.
• Programs lasting two years or longer: a permit may be issued for up to three years.
• More than one program: the lengths of eligible programs may sometimes be combined when each program meets the applicable requirements.

A PGWP is generally available only once. Applicants should check passport validity and assess their complete study history before submitting the application.

What Is the PGWP Application Deadline?

An applicant generally has 180 days after the institution confirms completion of the program to apply. The completion letter and final transcript are important because the deadline is connected to the date the school first confirms that program requirements have been met.

If a study permit will expire before final marks are available, the graduate may apply for a visitor record to remain in Canada or leave Canada and later submit the PGWP application from outside the country. A person who remains in Canada after status expires may need to apply for restoration and pay additional fees.

Working while the application is processed

Some graduates may work full-time while IRCC processes an application if they had a valid study permit when they applied, completed their program, and were eligible to work off campus during their studies without exceeding the permitted hours. Applicants should confirm that they meet every condition before beginning or continuing work.

What Supporting Documents Are Required?

The documents depend on the applicant’s circumstances, but a PGWP application commonly includes:

• An official letter confirming completion of the program.
• An official transcript or an accepted transcript obtained through the institution’s website.
• A valid passport and copies of relevant passport pages.
• Current and previous Canadian immigration documents.
• Approved language test results when the language requirement applies.
• Evidence that the program meets an applicable field-of-study requirement.
• Explanations and supporting records for authorized leave, school transfers, part-time semesters, distance learning, or status issues.

An officer may request additional documents. A complete, accurate application should explain any issue that is not clear from the transcript or standard forms.

How Simmi Immigration Can Help

Simmi Immigration can review your institution and program, calculate the application deadline, assess language and field-of-study requirements, examine study gaps or transfers, prepare supporting documents, and identify status concerns before submission.

PGWP rules change and individual circumstances matter. This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Submit the intake form above to request an assessment of your case.