Details of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)for International Students In Canada

Special Notice: Canada is also making it possible for international students to begin their program at a Canadian school online in fall 2020, and remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completing their Canadian studies.

The PGWP allows eligible international graduates to work in Canada after their studies for a period of up to three years.

The Government of Canada provides the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program as part of its efforts to attract international students and retain them as skilled workers. The program provides an open work permit, which allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer in any industry without the requirement of a Canadian job offer at the time of applying.

International students can only receive one Post-Graduation Work Permit from IRCC.

PGWP Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, international students must have:

• Completed studies in Canada in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least eight months long at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI)List..
• Study program must lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program or programs of study completed and included as part of their post-graduation work permit application;
• Some exceptions may be made for leave from studies and final academic session.
• Received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the applicant has met the requirements to complete their program of study;
• The transcript and official letter must be included in a post-graduation work permit application.
• Graduated from:
• 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 rules as public schools in Quebec;
• a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer and results in the issuance of a diplôma d’études professionnelles (Diploma of vocational studies) (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (Attestation of vocational specialization)  (ASP); or
• Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.

Note: Graduates of vocational and professional training programs in Quebec must meet additional PGWP criteria outlined by IRCC depending on the type of diploma issued.

PGWP Application Deadline: 180 days!

In 2019, the Government of Canada extended the time to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit from 90 to 180 days (six months) after obtaining a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the requirements to complete the program of study have been met.

If the study permit is set to expire before the marks have come in, candidates have two options:

• apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer; or
• leave Canada and apply for the PGWP

When applying, applicants must demonstrate that they either hold a valid study permit, held a study permit, or were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraphs 188(1)(a)and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

PGWP Application: Required Supporting Documents

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.

Ineligible PGWP Applicants

International students are ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program if they:

• have previously been issued a PGWP
• studied English or French as a second language
• took general interest or self-improvement courses
• received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC
• obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile
• participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchange Program
• participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
• completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning
• completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of the length of stay in Canada.

PGWP — Special Cases

There are a few cases where international students may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit if they have completed an accelerated or distance learning program or requested a leave from studies.