A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows eligible international graduates to work for about 3 years in Canada. To be eligible for PGWP, the student must have studied at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and met other requirements of the study program. Generally, a PGWP lets you work in Canada for the same duration of time as your study program.

A PGWP is one of the most sought out work permits in Canada since foreign students with Canadian education find PGWP much easier to apply to and gain a work permit so they can gain Canadian work experience. In this blog, we will talk about the eligibility requirements of a PGWP, application process, and the pathway to Canadian permanent residence after that.

NOTE: Starting 21 June 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has put an end to flagpoling or applying for PGWP at a Canadian port of entry, whether it be land, air, or marine.

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Who can apply for a Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

Here are general requirements to meet for a Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

Met study program requirements and have studied at a DLI
During each semester, you were a full-time student (unless you were exempt from this requirement)
Your Canadian study permit is valid for another 6 months/180 days while you have applied for a PGWP
You have applied to extend your study permit and are waiting for a decision

These are only general requirements for a PGWP and there can be more requirements depending on your circumstances. To know about specific requirements, give us a call at +91 875-005-9500 or +91 844-838-6496.

Does My Online Studies Count for PGWP?

Yes, if you have completed at least 50% of your studies online or attended classes in Canada, your online studies will be counted for PGWP. However, this is a temporary measure valid till 31st August 2024 only.

Beginning 1st September, you must complete at least 50% of studies by attending classes in Canada to be eligible for PGWP.

If you have studied outside of Canada it will not be counted for PGWP.

How long is my PGWP valid or How long can I work in Canada on a PGWP?

Usually a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is valid for the same time period as your study program. But for this, your study program must have been at least 8 months and less than 2 years long.

However, as of 15 February 2024, international students of Master’s degree whose program was at least 8 months (less than 2 years) long, are eligible for a 3-year PGWP.

The validity of a Canadian PGWP depends on the following three factors:

The length of your study program
Level of your study program
Validity of your passport

If you have studied in any other program which took 2 years or longer to complete, you might be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit that allows you to work for 3 years.

International students who have completed more than one program, they might be eligible for a PGWP valid for the combination of length of the programs. For this, the student must have studied in a PGWP-eligible program that must have taken at least 8 months to complete.

How to Apply for Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

An international student can apply for a Canadian PGWP if they have a valid study permit for another 6 months and completed their study program at a DLI.

Follow the steps below to apply for a Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit online.

Step 1

It is important that you gather all the necessary documents to prove you have studied in Canada. To demonstrate the same, get any of one of the following documents:

A degree/diploma
Offer letter from the DLI
Get the official transcript or a copy of the transcript which can be extracted from the university’s website

IRCC will most likely need you to upload other documents too, so be prepared for that.

To apply for a PGWP online, you also need a camera and a scanner to scan your documents, as well as debit/credit cards to make the payment.

Step 2

Create an account on the IRCC portal, sign in, answer the questions which the online tool asks you and provide the required information.

The tool will also need you to fill out some forms. You have to submit the work permit application within 60 days of starting it or the portal will remove your pending application.

Step 3

Pay the work permit processing fee and any other required third-party fee and submit your PGWP application.

Step 4

If IRCC approves your PGWP application and you have applied online from outside Canada, you will receive a Canada visitor visa or ETA so you can come to the country.

However, in case you applied for PGWP from within Canada, and you have to travel outside of the country but your visitor visa has expired, you must apply for a visitor visa yourself.

Once you have an approved PGWP, your spouse/common-law partner can apply for a spouse open work permit, as long as they qualify for it. This way, both you and your spouse can work together in Canada.

PGWP: A Direct Pathway to Canada PR

A PGWP gives you a direct pathway to gain permanent residency in Canada. With a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you not only have Canadian work experience but have also gained Canadian education.

After gaining required work experience in Canada with a PGWP, you may apply for Canadian permanent residency through any of the following immigration programs: