Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Check your Eligibility

You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if you graduated from a designated learning Institution (DLI) with the eligible field of study and want to stay in Canada temporarily to work.General Eligibility: To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you must:

• Complete a program at a designated learning institution.
• Maintain full-time student status throughout your studies, with some exceptions, such as studying part-time during your final semester, taking an approved leave, or changes due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and the fall semester of 2020.
• Apply for the PGWP within 180 days of graduating, ensuring that your study permit was valid at some point during this period.
• Make sure that none of the exceptions to the eligibility criteria apply to you.

Exceptions: You are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if:

• You have already received a PGWP.
• Your studies focused on English or French as a second language.
• You took general interest or self-improvement courses.
• You received funding or a scholarship from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that requires you to return to your home country after graduation.
• You completed more than 50% of your program through distance learning (online courses or correspondence). Note: You may still be eligible if you studied online from outside Canada due to COVID-19.
• You completed your studies at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada.
• You attended a designated learning institution (DLI) that is not eligible for PGWP, including programs delivered via public-private partnerships (P3s).

Eligibility based on study program:

1. If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a university

Requirement	Details
Language Requirement	Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French
Program Length	900 hours or longer (Quebec) or 8 months or longer (Outside Quebec)
Field of Study	No specific field of study requirements

2. If you graduated from any other university program

Requirement	Details
Language Requirement	Minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French
Program Length	900 hours or longer (Quebec) or 8 months or longer (Outside Quebec)
Field of Study	No specific field of study requirements for study permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024Field of Study requirements mandatory requirements for study permit applications submitted after November 1, 2024

3. If you graduated from a college program or other non-university program

Requirement	Details
Language Requirement	Minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French
Program Length	900 hours or longer (Quebec) or 8 months or longer (Outside Quebec)
Field of Study	No specific field of study requirements for study permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024Field of Study requirements mandatory requirements for study permit applications submitted after November 1, 2024

4. If you graduated from a flight school

Requirement	Details
Flight School Requirement	Must have one of the following: – Canadian commercial pilot’s license after completing a flight training course at a DLI training centre – Instructor’s rating and a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre
Language Requirement	Not Applicable
Program Length	900 hours or longer (Quebec) or 8 months or longer (Outside Quebec)
Field of Study	No specific field of study requirements

Check your Designated Learning Institutions: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/designated-learning-institutions-list.htmlCheck your eligible field of study: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html#field-of-studyIf your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 6 broad categories:

• agriculture and agri-food
• education
• health care
• science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• trade
• transport

 As of December 17, 2024, PGWP-eligible fields of study include certain programs related to early childhood education and developmental service workers. General Document Checklist  for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)To apply for a PGWP, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. Proof of Completion of Studies: Degree/Diploma, final transcript or an official letter from your educational institution confirming that you’ve successfully completed your program.
2. Proof of Full-Time Enrollment: You must show that you were enrolled in a full-time study program that lasted for at least 8 months.
3. Proof of Language Ability (For Applications Submitted on or After November 1, 2024):
   • As part of the application, you may need to submit proof of your language proficiency in English or French. This could be through a recognized test such as IELTS or TEF (Test d’évaluation de français). Check below
4. Proof of Graduation in an Eligible Field of Study (For Graduates Who Apply After November 1, 2024):
   • For applicants who didn’t graduate from a university degree program (such as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree), you’ll need to provide evidence that your program is eligible for the PGWP.
   • This could involve submitting a letter from your school or program that confirms the field of study meets the requirements.

Apply Online                                                                                   Contact us After you apply:If you’re applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), there are certain conditions that allow you to continue working while your application is being processed. You can work full-time if:

• You had a valid study permit at the time you submitted your application.
• You completed your study program.
• You were eligible to work off-campus without a work permit during your studies and you didn’t exceed the allowed number of working hours.

 If You Received the WP-EXT for PGWP Letter (IMM 0127 E):

• You are authorized to work until a decision is made, even if the 180-day validity period of the letter expires.
• If you need proof that you’re authorized to work, you can request this via the IRCC web form.
• You can show your employer the necessary documents to prove you’re eligible to work while waiting for your PGWP.
• If These Conditions Do Not Apply: You must wait until you receive your PGWP to start working for a new employer or in a new position. Working without authorization is illegal in Canada.

Traveling Outside of Canada While Waiting for Your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)If you’re in Canada and wish to travel outside, here’s what you need to know:Before You Travel: Visitor Visa or eTA: You must have a valid visitor visa or eTA to re-enter Canada. Even if you hold a valid PGWP, you may not be allowed to return without the necessary documents.If You Leave and Re-enter Canada:

• Work Authorization: If you’ve applied for your PGWP, you can still work full-time while waiting for a decision on your application, even if you leave Canada and re-enter.
• Border Services Officer: When you return to Canada, a border services officer will assess whether you meet the entry requirements.

 Entry Requirements for Canada:

1. Valid Travel Document: Passport or accepted travel document.
2. Good Health: No health issues preventing entry.
3. No Criminal or Immigration Convictions: Must not have any relevant convictions.
4. Ties to Your Home Country: Evidence of a job, home, financial assets, or family.
5. Intent to Leave Canada: Convince the officer you’ll leave at the end of your stay.
6. Sufficient Funds: Have enough money for your stay.
7. Valid Medical Exam: Medical exam results valid on re-entry (12-month validity). If expired, a new exam is required.

Spouses or Common-Law Partners: If your application for a PGWP is approved, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit.