Post-Graduation Work Permits for International Students In Canada

International students who complete an eligible Canadian post-secondary program may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Canada has introduced special measures during the coronavirus pandemic to enable international students overseas to complete their Canadian education will abroad and still be eligible for a PGWP. In addition, Canada is offering a new open work permit of up to 18-months in duration to PGWP holders currently in the country.

 

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Overview

Canada offers the PGWP as part of its efforts to attract international students and retain them as immigrants. The PGWP is valid for up to three years. The PGWP is an open work permit, which allows international graduates to work for any Canadian employer without needing a job offer.

 

You Can Study Overseas and Still Be Eligible for a PGWP

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has a special policy in place during the coronavirus pandemic that allows international students to complete their Canadian program while living overseas and still be eligible to obtain a PGWP when they move to Canada. In order to benefit from this policy you must:

• enroll at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution. DLIs are colleges and universities that are accredited by the Canadian government to welcome international students.
• you have begun or will begin a program between spring 2020 and fall 2020, or your program was already in progress in March 2020.
• have a study permit, OR approval for a study permit, OR apply for a study permit prior to starting your program and are eventually approved.
• meet all other PGWP criteria.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for PGWP Holders

From January 27, 2021 until July 27, 2021, certain Post Graduation Work Permit holders may be eligible to apply for new open work permits of up to 18 months in duration. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada estimates that as many as 52,000 PGWP holders stand to benefit from this new open work permit.

To apply for an open work permit under this public policy, an applicant must meet the following 5 conditions:

• You possess a valid PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date of the application.
• You were in Canada as of January 27, 2021 when the policy took effect and have remained in Canada since this date.
• You possess valid temporary status; or lost your temporary status but have already applied to restore it; or be applying for the restoration of your status.
• You include in your application you are applying for an open work permit under this policy.
• You have a valid passport. If your passport expires in under 18 months from the date of approval, your open work permit will only be valid for the same length of time. IRCC encourages you to ensure you possess a passport that is valid for at least 18 months from the date of approval.

 

PGWP Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, international students must have:

• Completed studies in an academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least eight months long at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List.
  • Study program must lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program or programs of study completed and included as part of their post-graduation work permit application;
  • Note: Canada has waived this requirement during the coronavirus pandemic for certain international students. Exemptions may apply to those who have begun or will begin a program between spring 2020 and fall 2021, or those whose program was already in progress in March 2020. In addition, exceptions may apply for those who took a leave from their studies in their final academic session.
• Received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the applicant has met the requirements to complete their program of study;
  • The transcript and official letter must be included in a post-graduation work permit application.
• Graduated from:
  • a public post-secondary institution, such as
  • a college
  • a trade or technical school
  • a university
  • CEGEP (in Quebec)
  • a private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec;
  • a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer and results in the issuance of a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP); or
  • Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree) but only if the student was enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province.

Note: Graduates of vocational and professional training programs in Quebec must meet additional PGWP criteria outlined by IRCC depending on the type of diploma issued.

 

PGWP Application Deadline: 180 days

The deadline to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit is within 180 days (six months) of obtaining a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that the requirements to complete the program of study have been met.

If the study permit is set to expire before the marks have come in, candidates have two options:

• apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer; or
• leave Canada and apply for the PGWP

When applying, applicants must demonstrate that they either hold a valid study permit, held a study permit, or were authorized to study in Canada without the requirement to obtain a study permit under paragraphs 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

 

PGWP Application: Required Supporting Documents

While program officers may request additional documents, two important documents required at the time of applying are a letter confirming the completion of the program of study and an official transcript by their DLI.