Post Graduate Program (PGWP)
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit for eligible international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and wish to work temporarily in Canada after completing their Canadian education.
What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit designed for international students who have completed their education at a designated learning institution (DLI). This work permit does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and the permit holder is eligible to work for any employer in Canada with no hourly restrictions. In other words, it is an “open” work permit. The validity of the work permit is dependent on the international students’ time enrolled at a DLI. Relatedly, a PGWP cannot exceed the study duration for international students in Canada. The maximum duration of this work permit is three years. After their studies, international students can use the PGWP to gain work experience in Canada. Importantly, with sufficient Canadian work experience, PGWP holders may become eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP).
Requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Eligible graduates can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from within Canada up to 180 days after completing their program, provided their study permit was valid at any time during this period. Applicants must verify program completion, including the program’s name and length, by submitting a degree, diploma, transcript, or an official letter from their educational institution.
- Complete a study program at a designated learning institution;
- Maintain full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program;
- Have a study permit that has been valid within the last 180 days;
- Apply to extend a study permit in Canada before the study permit expires, and no decision has been released.
Study program requirements PGWP
Type of Institution | Required Length of Program | Program outcome |
Public post-secondary DLI | 8 months or longer |
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Quebec public secondary DLI offering vocational training programs | 900 hours or longer |
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Quebec collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) | 900 hours or longer |
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Quebec provincially subsidized private postsecondary DLI or Quebec provincially subsidized private secondary DLI offering provincially subsidized vocational training programs | 900 hours or longer |
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Canadian private designated learning institution authorized by the province to confer degrees. | N/A |
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Exceptions to the eligibility requirements
Individuals are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if their study permit expires more than 180 days before their application or if they have previously been issued a PGWP. Ineligibility also extends to those who studied primarily English or French as a second language courses, engaged in general interest or self-improvement courses, or participated in programs funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), including the Government of Canada Awards Program. However, recipients of the Study in Canada Scholarship remain eligible. Additionally, those who have received the Equal Opportunity Scholarship or participated in specific exchange programs (including the Chile Exchange Program, participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchanges Program, or the Organization of American States Fellowships Program) are excluded. Eligibility is also negated for individuals who completed most of their studies through distance learning, attended a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, or completed programs at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) that do not qualify for PGWPs, including those offered through curriculum licensing agreements, also known as Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). Exceptions to these rules should be consulted directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Canadian Experience Class
Can I apply for Canadian experience class outside Canada?
Yes, candidates can apply outside of Canada for the Canadian Experience Class if they fulfill the eligibility criteria, including having one year of work experience in Canada within three years immediately preceding the application. Candidates in Canada on a temporary work visa nearing its expiration can obtain a bridging open work permit, allowing them to maintain employment in Canada while awaiting their invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Do you need to show financial proof for the Canadian Experience Class?
No, if you receive an invitation under the Canadian Experience Class, the requirement to demonstrate financial proof does not apply to you. However, by default, the Express Entry system will request proof of funds documents from all candidates. To be exempt, invitees for permanent residency can fulfill this step by uploading a letter stating their invitation under the Canadian Experience Class or uploading evidence of a valid job offer, bypassing the need to show proof of funds.
Do internships and co-ops in Canada count toward Canadian Experience Class work experience?
No, however, it is a bit nuanced. The eligibility of a paid internship to count towards the Express Entry work experience requirement varies depending on its relation to your educational program. If your paid internship was conducted outside of your academic curriculum and not as a requirement for your degree or diploma, it could be considered valid work experience for Express Entry. This means that internships undertaken independently of academic obligations, where you gain practical skills relevant to your professional field, may contribute to fulfilling the work experience criteria for Express Entry applications.
Frequently Asked Questions Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
How many years is a post-graduate work permit?
The duration of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 3 years. The length of the PGWP is related to the duration of your completed study program in Canada. For graduates of programs that are less than two years old but more than eight months old, the PGWP will typically match the program’s length. However, for those who have completed a study program of two years or longer, including master’s degree programs, the PGWP may be issued for a maximum duration of three years.
What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit Processing Time?
The processing time for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) typically takes up to 180 days. Importantly, if you submit your PGWP application before your student permit expires and you meet all the conditions for working after graduation, you are eligible to work in Canada while your application is being processed. This provision ensures that graduates can transition from studying to working without leaving Canada or ceasing employment. Graduates have 180 days from completing their program requirements to apply for the PGWP. This 180-day window starts when you receive official notification of program completion, such as a final transcript or a formal written notice from your educational institution, not necessarily the graduation ceremony date.
What happens If My Passport Expires Before PGWP
It is critical to ensure your passport remains valid for the entire duration you are eligible for under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Should your passport expire sooner than the whole eligibility period of your PGWP, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue a work permit only up to the expiry date of your passport. Typically, the opportunity to extend a PGWP is extremely limited, and can only be done with specific instruction from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is usually the case if you were granted a PGWP with less than the maximum period allowed based on your study program., due to your passport expiring. In this case, you must submit a letter of explanation demonstrating your eligibility for the PGWP and that you did not obtain the entire duration of the permit as your passport would expire.
Can I Apply For A Work Permit After My PGWP Expires?
Yes, after your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) expires, you can apply for another type of work permit, provided you meet the specific criteria for that work permit category. You may consider employer-specific work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP), each with its requirements and processes. It’s essential to identify a suitable work permit category that aligns with your circumstances, such as a new job offer or eligibility under other immigration programs and proceed with the application process accordingly to maintain your status and continue working in Canada.
How many times can I apply for a PGWP?
The opportunity to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a one-time privilege granted to international students who graduate from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions. Because of this one-time application policy, strategic planning becomes essential for students who might have further educational aspirations in Canada or wish to leverage their work permit to the maximum advantage.
How Can a Post-Graduation Work Permit Help Me Immigrate to Canada Permanently
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can help international graduates seeking permanent residency in Canada acquire Canadian work experience. This experience is a critical factor in eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry. In addition to the CEC, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) often offer streams for candidates with local work experience.
