Post-Graduation Work Permits - Themillenniumimmigration

PGWP: Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit

International students who finish a qualifying Canadian post-secondary program can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

A PGWP enables you to work for any employer you choose in Canada. This professional experience can be invaluable when applying for Canadian permanent residence.

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Overview
Can I Study Overseas and Still Be Eligible for a PGWP?
What are the PGWP’s Eligibility Requirements?
How Long is a PGWP Valid For?
What is the PGWP’s Application Deadline?
What are the Required Supporting Documents for a PGWP Application?
Contact Cohen Immigration Law Firm for Assistance

Overview

Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to attract international students and encourage them to settle as immigrants. The PGWP can be valid for up to three years, depending on the duration of the individual’s Canadian educational program. As an open work permit, it allows international graduates to work for any employer in Canada without requiring a job offer.

One of the significant advantages of the PGWP is that it provides graduates with the opportunity to gain professional work experience in Canada. This experience is beneficial for those who later apply for Canadian immigration, as many of Canada’s over 100 immigration programs favor candidates who have studied and/or worked in the country. Generally, a PGWP holder needs to accumulate one year of professional work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) category of 0, A, or B to qualify for a Canadian permanent residence program.

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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a special policy during the coronavirus pandemic, allowing international students to engage in distance learning at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) while still qualifying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), provided they meet all other requirements. DLIs are colleges and universities accredited by the Canadian government to host international students.

International students studying online from outside Canada, or who submit a study permit application by August 31, 2022, can complete up to 100% of their program online without affecting their PGWP eligibility. However, any study completed from abroad starting September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the duration of the PGWP, regardless of when the student began their studies.

What are the PGWP's Eligibility Requirements?

Important Update: Starting November 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce new language proficiency and degree criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications. All applications submitted on or after this date must provide proof of English or French proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB level 5 for college graduates. While graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs will remain eligible, graduates from public colleges will only qualify if their field of study aligns with in-demand sectors in the Canadian labor market.

Additionally, from September 2024, students enrolled in programs that utilize a curriculum licensing framework—where private colleges deliver the curriculum of associated public colleges—will no longer be eligible for a PGWP.

To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, international students must:

Complete an academic, vocational, or professional training program that is at least eight months long at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Ensure the study program leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Maintain full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program(s) completed as part of their PGWP application. *(Note: Canada has waived this requirement during the pandemic for certain students. Exemptions may apply for those who began or will begin a program between spring 2020 and summer 2022, or for those whose program was in progress as of March 2020. Exceptions may also apply for students who took a leave during their final academic session.)
Obtain a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming the completion of their program of study. These documents must be included in the PGWP application.

Eligible graduates must have completed their studies at:

A public post-secondary institution, such as:
A college
A trade or technical school
A university
CEGEP (in Quebec)
A private post-secondary school in Quebec that operates under the same regulations as public schools.
A private secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer, resulting in a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP).
A Canadian private institution that can award degrees under provincial law, provided the student was enrolled in a program leading to a degree as authorized by the province.

Graduates of vocational and professional training programs in Quebec must meet additional PGWP criteria specified by IRCC, based on the type of diploma issued.

How Long is a PGWP Valid For?

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is valid for a duration ranging from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length of your program at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). According to guidelines from IRCC:

Programs under 8 months: Not eligible for a PGWP.
Programs between 8 months and less than 2 years: The PGWP will be valid for the same duration as the study program (e.g., a 10-month program results in a 10-month PGWP).
Master’s programs less than 2 years: As of 2024, graduates of these programs will qualify for a 3-year PGWP, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
Programs of 2 years or more: The PGWP will be valid for 3 years.
Multiple programs: If you complete more than one DLI-eligible program, each lasting over 8 months, you may be able to combine them for a PGWP. The total duration will correspond to the guidelines above.

These updates reflect IRCC’s commitment to facilitating pathways for international graduates in Canada.

What is the PGWP's Application Deadline?

The deadline to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is within 180 days (six months) of receiving a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that you have completed your program requirements.

If your study permit is set to expire before you receive your marks, you have two options:

1. Apply for a visitor record to extend your stay in Canada.
2. Leave Canada and submit your PGWP application from abroad.

When applying for the PGWP, you must demonstrate that you either currently hold a valid study permit, previously held a study permit, or were authorized to study in Canada without needing a study permit, as outlined in paragraphs 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

What are the Required Supporting Documents for a PGWP Application?

While program officers may request additional documents, two important documents required at the time of applying are a letter confirming the completion of the program of study and an official transcript by their DLI.

Contact THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION for Assistance

Interested in applying for a PGWP? THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION can assist you! With over 11 years of experience, we help workers and employers navigate Canadian immigration regulations smoothly. Let us support you through the process.