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POST GRADUATION

WORK PERMIT

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.

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The Post-Graduation Work Permit is a once in a lifetime opportunity, international students can only receive this permit once from IRCC. 

minimum

requirements

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

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  • 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 diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (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.

OTHER

IMPORTANt

INFORMATION

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

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  • 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.

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180 Day Deadline

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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.

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

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  • apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer; or

  • leave Canada and apply for the PGWP

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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.

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