Post-Graduation Work Permit
To work in Canada after graduation, you must apply for a work permit within 90 days after you finished your program. This work experience can help you qualify for permanent residence.
Who can apply for a post-graduation work permit?
- Must be 18 years of age or older when you apply
- Must have continuously studied full-time in Canada in a study program at least eight months long
- Must have a document from your school (transcript, official letter, certificate, etc.) that confirms you completed and passed all your program requirements
- Must have graduated from a public post-secondary school, such as a college, trade/technical school or university
- Must apply for a work permit within 90 days of when it was confirmed that you completed your program and have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit.
You aren’t eligible to apply for a PGWP if you:
- Studied in a program that was less than eight months long
- Studied for more than eight months but not continuously (for example, you took a semester off)
- Took part in a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
- Took part in a Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC
- Had funding from GAC
- Took part in the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada-Chile
- Took part in the Canada-China Scholars Exchanges Program
- Took part in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
- Completed a study program by distance learning either from abroad or from within Canada or
- Already had a post-graduation work permit following any other program of study.
How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?
How long the post-graduation work permit is valid for depends on the length of your study program. If your program was:
- Less than eight months – You aren’t eligible for a PGWP
- More than eight months but less than two years – Your PGWP may be valid for up to the same length as your study program (for example, if you studied for nine months, a work permit may be issued for up to nine months)
- Two years or more – A PGWP may be issued for three years
- More than one program – A PGWP may be valid for up to three years, for example, if you finished a diploma or degree from an eligible school in Canada, and within the next two years you get a one-year graduate degree or diploma from an eligible school in Canada
For more information please visit Canada Immigration website – : http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-who.asp