Post Graduation work permit in Canada

A Post Graduation work permit (PGWP) permits international students to work in Canada after they graduate from Canadian colleges or universities. It is usually offered for three years, and the duration depends on the length of the study program. However, the course duration must be at least eight months to get PGWP Canada. As per March 2023 update, Canada extends post-graduation work permits (PGWP) for up to 18 months to retain high-skilled talented people. 

Almost all international students apply for a work permit in Canada after their studies as students with Canadian work experience are eligible for permanent residence in Canada. The post-graduation work permit in Canada allows the holder to make use of job opportunities in whichever field they prefer. In this article, you will get to know how to apply and when to apply for a post-graduation work permit in Canada, eligibility, its requirements, processing time, duration, and more information. 

Also Read: Best places to study in Canada 

PGWP eligibility: Are you eligible for a PGWP?

After getting your final results from a designated learning institute (DLI), you are eligible for a PGWP. A candidate has 180 days to apply for a PGWP starting from the final marks published date. 

To be eligible to receive your work permit after study in Canada, you must have:

• Finished a full-time study program from a Canadian designated learning institute (DLI) that lasted for at least eight months and should have led to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• A valid student visa when you apply for the PGWP.
• Studied full-time in each academic session, with two exceptions:
  1. You studied part-time only in your final academic session.
  2. You took a sanctioned gap in studies that lasted for less than 150 days.

Eligibility Criteria	Inside Canada Graduates	Outside Canada Graduates
Completion of full-time program	Required	Required
Valid study permit	Required	Must have met eligibility criteria and obtained a study permit Application timing
Application timing	Must apply within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion	Must apply within 180 days of the date on the official letter confirming program completion
Status in Canada	Must have maintained full-time student status and have no violations of study permit conditions	Must have left Canada and not be currently studying at a Canadian institution
Language proficiency	Must demonstrate proficiency in English or French	Must demonstrate proficiency in English or French

 

You aren’t eligible for a PGWP if you have: 

• Already received a PGWP
• Studied English or French as a secondary language
• Took general interest or self-improvement courses
• Completed more than 50% of a study program by distance learning (online courses, e-learning or correspondence)
• Completed a study program at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada.

Working before you apply: You can continue working up to 20 hours a week off-campus and/or full time on campus if you are eligible to work in your final term till your Letter of Completion becomes available.

Letter of completion is offered via SSC (Under Grades and Report) or via your program portal. Once you receive your letter of completion, you become ineligible to work on campus.

PGWP eligible institutes and programs:

Mostly all colleges and universities provide programs that make you eligible for your PGWP. For more details, you can check IRCC’s website.

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Post-graduate work permit application: How to apply for PGWP:

There are two ways to apply for a Post-Graduation work permit. You can apply either through mail or online. Most individuals who are eligible for PGWP apply using the online mode because there are various advantages of applying through the online mode, such as:

• No courier fees or mail delivery time incurred. 
• Quick processing of your application.
• It helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it.
• Submitting other/required documents online is easier.
• Updates on the status of your application is sent directly to your online account.

How to apply for PGWP online on IRCC’s application portal:

Step 1: 

To apply online, you’ll need:

• A scanner or mobile camera to create electronic copies of your documents
• A valid credit or debit card.

Step 2: 

Reading the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide explains how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: 

Before you can upload your completed forms, you must answer some questions. IRCC uses your answers to create a personalized document checklist.

Step 4: 

Fees taken for applying for PGWP will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application. You’ll be required to pay your fees at the end of your application. You must pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee.

As a temporary measure due to Covid-19, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics.

Step 5: 

You need an account on IRCC to apply online. The online account can be used to

• Pay your fees
• Submit your application
• Check your status

To apply for a Post-Graduation work permit, you will need 

• Confirmation of completing your study program from your designated learning institute in Canada may include an official transcript or a copy of your transcript from your institute’s website. IRCC may request other documents once they receive your application.

Duration: Post-graduate work permit length 

The duration of your work permit after study in Canada will depend on the official length of your program of study. 

If the official length of your program of study is:

• Less than eight months: You will not be eligible for the PGWP program.
• More than eight months but less than two years: You will get a work permit for a period equivalent to your course duration.
• Two years or more: You will be granted a work permit for the maximum period of three years.

Changes in PGWP introduced by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 

The Canadian government has introduced various new measures regarding PGWP due to the widespread outbreak of the ongoing pandemic. Because of Covid-19, many international students are not able to enter Canada due to travel restrictions.

Immigration, Refugees and, Citizenship, Canada (IRCC), keeping in mind the immigration problems caused due to the Coronavirus, made a significant announcement in May that distance learning obtained until December 31, 2020, would be counted in the criteria for obtaining a PGWP.

These changes in PGWP are shaping up the post-pandemic immigration system adopted by Canada that is making education and immigration easier for International applicants. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Distance learning was not considered as a criterion for PGWP eligibility.

The new eligibility rules for PGWP are:

1. Students will be able to study online overseas without any time being deducted from their PGWP up until April 30, 2023. This will only be taken into account if the students complete 50% of their studies in Canada.
2. Students who have graduated from more than one eligible programs will be able to combine the lengths of their programs when applying for PGWP.
3. This rule is applicable for students who have enrolled in a program starting between May to September 2020 and study online up till April 2021. Students are also required to complete at least 50% of their studies in Canada.
4. Students who have opted for short-term programs with a duration of 8-12 months starting from May to September 2020 will be eligible to apply for PGWP while completing their entire program overseas. 
5. Students must submit a study permit application before starting a program of study at a DLI in the winter/summer/fall 2021 semester or for the winter 2023 semester to be eligible for the new measures introduced by IRCC.

Conclusion

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who have completed their studies in Canada to gain work experience. To apply, students must meet eligibility criteria, provide necessary documents, and follow the application process. The PGWP is a valuable opportunity for international students to gain practical work experience and contribute to the Canadian economy.

FAQS 

1. Can I get a job and work permit after completing under graduation in Canada? 

Getting a job depends on the course you’ve selected and your economic conditions. You can be eligible for a work permit if you’ve completed any study program with a duration of more than eight months.

2. After my graduation, can I work before applying for a PGWP? 

Yes, after your graduation, you can work before applying for a PGWP, provided that your study permit does not expire. If your study permit expires, you may restore your status by applying for an extension immediately and not more than 90 days.

3. Can I get a work permit after completing a one year course?

Yes, you can be eligible for a work permit if the duration of your course was more than eight months.

4. Can I be eligible for PGWP if I’m studying online from abroad due to Covid-19? 

A. According to the new policy by IRCC, students will be able to study online overseas without any time being deducted from their PGWP up until April 30, 2021. This will only be valid if the student completes at least 50% of their course in Canada.

5. Can I get more duration on PGWP if I’ve completed two programs? 

Yes, you may be eligible to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program, but each of the programs you completed must be PGWP-eligible and at least eight months in length. 

6. What is the maximum duration of PGWP? 

3 years is the maximum duration of PGWP.

7. Can I apply for PGWP again? 

PGWP is only issued once per person, and you cannot apply for PGWP again if you already had one before.

8. Which are the best sites to refer to regarding PGWP?

You can get information about PGWP at visacrunch and CIC.com.

9. What if I have dependents?

If you have dependents while applying for a PGWP, extend their validity period too before it’s late. To do so, go through the additional criteria before you can apply for an extension spouse/common-law partner’s work permit.