The Ultimate Guide to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is designed for international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. This open work permit allows graduates to gain essential work experience by working for any employer across the country. However, it is crucial to note that not all study programs in Canada are eligible for the PGWP. Therefore, it is recommended to verify the eligibility of the program before enrolling.

Key Points of the PGWP:

• Eligibility: Only graduates from certain programs at DLIs are eligible. Students must check the program’s recognition before committing.
• Type of Permit: It is an open work permit, with no need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
• Duration of the PGWP: It is issued for a duration of eight months to three years, but never exceeds the length of the study program completed. Generally, the duration of the permit is equivalent to that of the applicant’s studies, up to a maximum of three years.
• Full-time/Part-time Studies: If you studied part-time or in an accelerated program, the duration of your PGWP will correspond to that of your full-time study program.

Benefits: The PGWP provides the opportunity to gain work experience in Canada, which can facilitate access to Canadian permanent residency through programs such as:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
• Immigration Programs in Quebec

The PGWP is therefore an excellent gateway for a career and long-term life in Canada.

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can be issued for a period ranging from eight months to three years. The duration of this permit cannot exceed the length of your studies in Canada. Generally, the validity of the PGWP will be equivalent to the length of your study program, with a maximum of three years. If more than 50% of your training was completed in person, you are eligible for a PGWP whose duration corresponds to that of your program. In the case of part-time or accelerated studies, the duration of the PGWP will be determined based on the program, as if it had been completed full-time.

To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a foreign national must meet several specific criteria. Here’s a summary of the conditions and levels of study eligible:

Eligibility Criteria for the PGWP:

• Minimum Age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• Full-time Studies: The candidate must have completed a full-time study program in Canada for at least 8 months.
• Designated Learning Institution (DLI): The program must have been completed at an institution recognized in Canada.
• Application Deadline: The work permit must be applied for within 180 days following the completion of the study program. If the candidate is still in Canada, they must have valid status.
• Applying from Abroad or Canada: Candidates can submit their application from abroad or from within Canada. Those who apply before their study permit expires can start working full-time immediately while their application is being processed.

Eligible Levels of Study:

Candidates must have completed their study program at one of the following types of institutions:

• Public Postsecondary Schools: This includes colleges, technical or vocational schools, universities, and CEGEPs in Quebec.
• Private Postsecondary Schools: For certain schools in Quebec that operate under the same rules as public schools.
• Private Secondary or Postsecondary Schools (in Quebec): These schools offer programs of 900 hours or more, leading to a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) or an attestation of vocational specialization (ASP).
• Private Canadian Schools: They can only legally grant diplomas to students enrolled in programs leading to a diploma authorized by the province.

Important Note:

Candidates must ensure that their program is recognized and eligible for the PGWP before starting their studies to avoid any disappointment regarding eligibility for this work permit.

The processing time for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can vary from 80 to 180 days. During this period, you are allowed to work in Canada, provided you submitted your application before your study permit expires.

Application Deadline:

You have 180 days to apply for a PGWP from the moment you have met all the requirements of your study program.

Applying from Abroad:

You can now submit a PGWP application from abroad, unlike previous rules that required the application to be made exclusively from within Canada. If you apply from outside Canada, additional documents may be required, depending on the requirements of the visa office processing your application.

International graduates who apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) before their study permit expires can start working legally in Canada without waiting for a decision on their PGWP application.

If your study permit has expired, you may be eligible to restore your status in Canada and submit a PGWP application, provided that you have been without status for less than 90 days.

You can only apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) once. If you plan to pursue another study program that is a continuation of your first program or to undertake a longer program in Canada, it may be wise to strategically plan your PGWP application. By submitting your application after completing the longest study period, you could obtain a PGWP with an extended validity, up to a maximum of three years.

Exactement ! Le PGWP est une excellente opportunité pour les diplômés internationaux de combiner leur formation canadienne avec une expérience de travail au pays, renforçant ainsi leur profil pour les demandes de résidence permanente. Avez-vous d’autres questions sur le PGWP ou d’autres aspects de l’immigration au Canada ?