Post-Graduation Work Permit

As you are approaching the end of your study program in Canada, you may be interested in exploring more about what the next step is and weighing your options.

A valid one is, getting a job so you can remain in Canada and then to apply for the Permanent Residency. Students, in some cases, have the possibility to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) within a specific delay since the school issues the final marks.

Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit that enables the recent graduates to work for different employers in different locations, which in turn qualify them to gain Canadian work experience and facilitates the transition to the permanent residency status through one of these programs:

  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)
  • Quebec Immigration Programs

Eligibility Criteria

Main point to keep in mind is that your studies in Canada are to be completed in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), which is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

Yet, to get a post-graduation work permit, other eligibility requirements need to be met. For example, the program was at least 8 months long & lead to a degree, diploma or certificate and the student should have maintained full-time status during each semester of your study program (exceptions in specific cases apply), etc.

There are other situations where the student is not eligible for a PGWP such as completing studies in English or French as a second language, courses of general interest or self-improvements, has already received a post-graduation work permit before, etc.

And finally, as supporting documents, do not forget to include these in your application:

  • the certificate or official document that confirms you completed your program, or
  • official transcript from a Quebec school board or recognized private school
  • an official letter from the school that confirms:
    • the length of the study program and
    • the program code

The post-graduation work permit is a quiet tempting subject and is worth spending more time on. In case if you are interested in knowing more about it, we are here to help.