A post-graduation work permit allows students who graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain work experience in Canada.
How To Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Canada wants more international students to become Canadian Permanent Residents to help build the economy. To qualify and apply for PGWP applicants must:
- Graduate from a Canadian public institution or a recognized degree program at a private institution, include universities, colleges or Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel
- Apply online or print out and mail an application
- Apply within 180 days after your school issues your final marks for a post-graduation work permit.
- Pay all application fees, including the “Open work permit holder” fee and the standard fee.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit is an Open Work Permit; international graduates with a PGWP are not required to have a Canada job offer, can work in any occupation anywhere in Canada, and can change employers at any time.
Work experience through a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program can help support an application to become a permanent resident of Canada.
FAQs
What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
A Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit that allows eligible graduates of certain Canadian designated learning institutions to gain Canadian work experience. It may be valid for up to three years, depending on the credential, program length and passport expiry. This experience may support eligibility for some permanent residence pathways, but a PGWP does not guarantee permanent residence.
Who Is Eligible for a PGWP?
To qualify, you generally must complete a PGWP-eligible program at an eligible designated learning institution, maintain full-time status during each semester and apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed the program. The program must normally be at least eight months long, or 900 hours for eligible Quebec programs. Language requirements apply and some programs must also meet a field-of-study requirement. Graduating from a designated learning institution does not automatically make you eligible.
What Are the Current Language Requirements for a PGWP?
Most PGWP applicants must submit approved English or French language test results. Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university programs generally need CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four language abilities. Graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-university programs generally need CLB or NCLC 5 in all four abilities. Graduates of eligible flight schools are exempt.
Ackah Law can confirm which language threshold and supporting evidence apply to your situation.
