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What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)? Eligibility and Benefits

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a special type of open work permit exclusively for international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. It’s a valuable opportunity that helps students gain Canadian work experience, paving the way for a future application for permanent residency. Phan Immigration has compiled the most detailed information on the PGWP to help you better understand this type of permit in the article below.

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a type of work permit for international students who have completed a post-secondary or higher education program in Canada. A PGWP allows you to stay and work legally, gain professional experience, and expand your network, with a maximum validity of up to three years.

The PGWP is particularly important as it serves as a solid stepping stone toward a path to permanent residency in Canada, especially for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

The PGWP has three key features that distinguish it from other work permits:

  • Specific Eligibility: The PGWP is exclusively for international students who have completed a post-secondary or higher education program in Canada.
  • Flexible Duration: The validity period of a PGWP is determined by the length of the completed study program and can last for up to three years.
  • Open Work Permit: The PGWP is an open work permit, which allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada without being restricted by occupation or position.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open permit that gives international students the opportunity to work in Canada
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open permit that gives international students the opportunity to work in Canada

Conditions for Receiving a PGWP

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must have completed a full-time study program of at least eight months in Canada (or 900 hours for a program in Quebec).
  • You must have maintained a full-time student status throughout your studies (with the exception of your final semester, where part-time study is permitted).
  • You must submit your PGWP application within 180 days (6 months) of receiving confirmation of your program completion.
  • Your study permit must be valid at some point within the 180-day period after graduation and before you apply for the PGWP.
  • You must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) with a program that is eligible for a PGWP.

Note: Not all international students who study in Canada are eligible to apply for a PGWP. The educational institutions that support PGWP applications are on the list of schools with a DLI international student enrollment code, but not every school on this list supports PGWP applications.

As of November 1, 2024, IRCC has updated the new PGWP requirements, which are now categorized by level of education:

  • Graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree will need to demonstrate language proficiency at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in all skills, with no specific requirements for their field of study.
  • Graduates from other university programs must achieve a CLB of 7, and their program of study must be in an eligible field.
  • Graduates with a college diploma or other programs must achieve a CLB of 5, and their field of study must be in an eligible field.

If you are a graduate of a pilot training school, you must also meet one of the following requirements:

  • You have completed pilot training at a DLI and currently hold a Canadian commercial pilot’s license.
  • You have obtained or are in the process of obtaining an instructor rating and have a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI pilot training school. There are no language or field-of-study requirements for graduates of pilot training schools who are eligible for a PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit)

Benefits of Being Granted a PGWP

After completing your study program in Canada, a PGWP provides you with a crucial opportunity to transition from academics to the workforce and gain practical experience in the Canadian job market.

A PGWP offers several significant benefits for international students:

  • Employment Freedom: You can work full-time with no hourly limitations and are free to choose your workplace without a prior job offer.
  • Career Development: You have the chance to apply the knowledge you’ve gained to real-world situations and accumulate professional work experience in one of the world’s leading developed countries.
  • Pathway to Permanent Residency: The work experience you gain through a PGWP makes you eligible to apply for a permanent residency program under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—one of the fastest routes to becoming a permanent resident. For a clearer understanding of the process, you can also look into immigrating to Canada through a study pathway.
  • Benefits for Dependents: Your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an Open Work Permit, and your children can attend public schools for free.
  • Access to Social Benefits: As a PGWP holder, you are eligible to participate in Canadian health insurance and social benefit programs.
The PGWP allows international students to develop their careers and move toward a future of permanent residency in Canada
The PGWP allows international students to develop their careers and move toward a future of permanent residency in Canada

Latest Updates on the PGWP

Effective November 1, 2024, to be eligible for a PGWP, international students in non-degree programs (other than bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) must be enrolled in an eligible field of study. This list is linked to occupations with long-term labor shortages in Canada and may change based on labor market needs.

Rules for Specific Cases

  • Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024: You remain eligible for a PGWP if your field of study was on the eligible list at the time you applied, even if it is later removed.
  • Students who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024: You will only be eligible for a PGWP if your program is on the eligible list.
  • Students who applied for a study permit between June 25, 2025, and July 4, 2025: You will still be eligible for a PGWP if your field of study was removed on June 25, 2025, but was reinstated on July 4, 2025.

How to Apply for a PGWP

Required Documents

To apply for a PGWP, you will need to prepare the following documents to prove your eligibility:

  • Proof of program completion:
    • Degree, certificate, or diploma.
    • An official letter from your school confirming your graduation.
    • An official transcript or a copy from your school’s website.
  • Proof of full-time student status:
    • Official final transcript from your school (you may need to have it verified through WES Canada to ensure its validity in Canada).
    • A copy of the official transcript from your school’s website.
  • Proof of language proficiency (if applicable):
    • This applies to students who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
    • You must provide the results of a language test to prove your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
  • Proof of eligible field of study (if applicable):
    • This applies to students who apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, and are enrolled in non-degree programs.
    • You must provide proof that your field of study is on the list of eligible CIP codes approved by the Government of Canada.

How to Submit Your Application

You can apply for a PGWP in two ways:

  • Online: Through the IRCC online portal—this method is recommended as it is fast and convenient.
  • By mail: Send your application to CPC-Vegreville, 6212 – 55th Avenue, Unit 555, Vegreville, AB, T9C 1X6.

Important notes:

  • You have 180 days from the date you receive confirmation of graduation to apply for a PGWP.
  • If your study permit expires before you submit your application, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your student status.
  • To restore your student status, you must apply online and pay an additional restoration fee.
International students can choose to conveniently apply for a PGWP either online or by mail
International students can choose to conveniently apply for a PGWP either online or by mail

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Validity

The validity period of a PGWP depends on the length of the study program you have completed.

  • Master’s programs (as of February 15, 2024): You can apply for a 3-year PGWP, even if the program is less than two years long, as long as it is at least eight months.
  • Other programs:
    • 8 months to under 2 years: The PGWP may be valid for a period equivalent to the length of your program. For example, a 9-month program may grant a PGWP for up to 9 months.
    • 2 years or more: The PGWP may be valid for 3 years.
  • Combining multiple programs: You can combine the lengths of multiple programs to apply for a longer PGWP, as long as each program is at least eight months long.

Note about passport validity: The duration of your PGWP will not exceed the expiry date of your passport. If your passport expires early, you can apply to extend your PGWP after obtaining a new passport.

The PGWP validity period depends on the length of the program you have completed
The PGWP validity period depends on the length of the program you have completed

Other Important Notes About the PGWP

Here are some other important details about the Post-Graduation Work Permit that you should be aware of:

  • Issued only once: A PGWP is granted only once in a lifetime and cannot be renewed after it expires, even if you complete another study program.
  • Working while waiting for approval: You are permitted to work full-time while waiting for your PGWP application to be processed, provided you submitted the application while your study permit was still valid.
  • Regulation change as of June 21, 2024: You can no longer apply for a PGWP at a port of entry (airport, land, or sea border) upon entry into Canada.
  • PGWP extension: You can only extend your PGWP if your passport expires before the full duration of your PGWP is granted. The extension must be done through a paper application after you obtain a new passport.
  • Employment is not mandatory: Not having a job does not affect your legal status in Canada during the validity of your PGWP, but it may affect your path to permanent residency.
  • Regularly updated regulations: PGWP regulations are frequently updated, so be sure to follow the official IRCC website for the latest information.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Work Permit
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is more than just a chance for international students to gain work experience in Canada; it’s a crucial stepping stone on the path to permanent residency. If you’re looking for your next step after graduating in Canada, the PGWP opens up many valuable opportunities.

While the application process for a PGWP isn’t overly complicated, it requires thorough preparation and knowledge of the latest regulations. To ensure your application is processed quickly and effectively, it’s a good idea to consult with immigration experts at Phan Immigration. We can help you prepare a complete and accurate application that complies with the newest regulations, increasing your chances of success in getting your PGWP and guiding you on your long-term immigration journey in Canada.

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