Post-Graduation Work Permit

Applicants can receive only 1 Post-Graduation Work Permit in their lifetime.

To obtain a post-graduation work permit, the applicant must currently hold valid temporary status or have left Canada. They must have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI). They must also submit clear evidence that they meet all of the following criteria:

• They have completed an academic, vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• They have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or programs of study they have completed and submitted as part of their Post-Graduation Work Permit application. Exceptions can be made only for the following:
  • leave from studies
  • final academic session
• They have received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that they have met the requirements to complete their program of study.

Note: The transcript and official letter must be included in a Post-Graduation Work Permit application.

Ineligible applicants

Students are ineligible if they

• have previously been issued a post-graduation work permit
• received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Note: This does not apply to Study in Canada Scholarship recipients who are eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

• participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC
• obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile
• participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchange Program
• participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
• completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning
• completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of their length of stay in Canada

3. Post-Graduation Work Permit eligible programs and institutions

Students are ineligible for a post-graduation work permit if they have completed the following:

• an English as a second language or French as a second language course or program of study
• general interest or self-improvement courses
• a course or program of study at a private career college

Eligible institutions

• a public post-secondary institution, such as
  • a college
  • a trade or technical school
  • a university
  • CEGEP (in Quebec)
• a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions in Quebec
• a private secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to
  • a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
  • an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)
• a Canadian, private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees, such as an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, but only if the student is enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree, as authorized by the province, which may not include all programs of study offered by the private institution

See the DLI list to verify schools’ eligibility.

4.  Post-Graduation Work Permit applicants and travel

If the applicant travels, there are three options to return to Canada:

• Temporary resident visas (TRVs) apply to applicants from countries whose nationals require a visa, must be summitted from outside Canada
• Electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) apply to applicants from countries whose nationals do not require a visa
• Travel before a decision is made on a post-graduation work permit, must be in possession of either a valid
  • TRV, when they are from a country whose nationals require a visa
  • eTA, when they are from a country whose nationals are visa-exempt, and they are travelling to Canada by air

Students who have completed their program of study

Students who have completed their program of study are allowed to work while they are waiting for a decision on their Post-Graduation Work Permit application, provided they meet all of the following criteria:

• they are or were holders of a valid Study Permit at the time of the Post-Graduation Work Permit application
• they were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program
• they were authorized to work off-campus without a work permit
• they did not exceed the allowable hours of work

Determining the length of the post-graduation work permit

The validity period of the Post-Graduation Work Permit may not go beyond the applicant’s passport validity date, otherwise the Post-Graduation Work Permit applicant has to apply for a work permit extension upon the renewal of their passport to receive the full validity of their post-graduation work permit.

Accelerated studies

If a student completes their studies in less time than the normal length of the program (that is, they have accelerated their studies), the Post-Graduation Work Permit should be assessed on the length of the program of study.

Applicants impacted by a designated learning institution (DLI) strike

Applicants who are impacted by a strike affecting a DLI in Canada are considered to be studying continually full time during the strike period. The period of time in which the students are not attending class due to a school strike does not impact their eligibility under the PGWPP. Applicants impacted by a school strike must meet all other eligibility requirements under the PGWPP.

Students must be continually studying full time in Canada. However, if a student meets all the eligibility requirements, with the exception of full-time status during their final academic session, they are still considered eligible for the PGWPP.

Distance learning

Distance learning can be considered online learning. Students who complete a program of study exclusively by distance learning (outside or within Canada) are not eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Unless the online portion is less than 50% of the program of study’s total courses are completed by distance learning, a Post-Graduation Work Permit may be issued.

Transfers between educational institutions

In cases where a student has transferred between eligible Canadian DLIs, the combined length of study must be at least 8 months to qualify for a post-graduation work permit.

In cases where a student graduated from an eligible DLI after having transferred from an ineligible institution, only time spent at the eligible DLI counts as eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit issuance. Time spent at the eligible institution must be at least 8 months.

• Example 1: Transferring from a foreign institution
• Example 2: Transferring from an ineligible institution
• Example 3: Transferring between eligible DLIs

Programs with an overseas component

If a student completes a program of study in Canada that has an overseas component, they are eligible for the PGWPP, as long as they earn a Canadian educational credential from an eligible DLI. However, the length of the Post-Graduation Work Permit is based on the length of time they studied in Canada.

Applicants whose study permit becomes invalid or expires must either

• leave Canada and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit from overseas, or
• apply to restore their status as a student by applying for a PGWP with the correct fees

Work authorization after submitting a Post-Graduation Work Permit application 

Graduates who apply for a work permit, such as a post-graduation work permit, before the expiry of their study permit are eligible to work full time without a work permit while waiting for a decision on their application (some conditions apply)

Spouses and common-law partners of Post-Graduation Work Permit holders

Spouses and common-law partners of Post-Graduation Work Permit holders may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.

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