Work After Graduation

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Finished your studies and planning to gain Canadian work experience? You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), an open work permit that allows you to work for most employers in Canada.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including your school and program, how you completed your studies, your language test results and, in some cases, your field of study.

01 What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is an open work permit available to eligible graduates of certain programs at Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs). It generally allows graduates to work for most employers in Canada without a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Canadian work experience gained while holding a PGWP may help graduates qualify for certain permanent residence programs, depending on the requirements of the immigration pathway available to them.

A PGWP allows you to work in Canada, but it is not a travel document. To return to Canada after travelling, you must have a valid passport and, where required, a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

02 Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit if you:

completed a program that qualifies for a PGWP at an eligible designated learning institution;
completed a program of at least eight months, or 900 hours for certain Quebec programs;
maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session, except that you may have studied part-time during your final session;
apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program;
had a valid study permit at some point during the 180 days after completing your program;
meet the applicable language and, where required, field of study requirements; and
have not previously received a PGWP.

PGWP eligibility depends on your program, study and status history, and the requirements that apply to your application. These requirements may vary depending on when you submitted your study permit application and when you apply for a PGWP. Authorized leave, school transfers, distance learning, and periods of part-time study may also affect your eligibility.

03 Language and Field of Study Requirements

Requirements depend on the type of program you completed. For PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, most graduates must provide results from an IRCC-approved English or French language test covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Test results must be less than two years old when you apply.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees

You need at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four language abilities. No field of study requirement applies.

Other University Programs

You need at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four language abilities. If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, your program must also be in an eligible field of study.

College, Polytechnic, or Other Non-University Programs

You need at least CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all four language abilities. If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, your program must also be in an eligible field of study.

PGWP-Eligible Flight Schools

Graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school follow separate eligibility requirements and are exempt from both the language and field of study requirements.

If the field of study requirement applies, your program must have an eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. A CIP code identifies the field of study of your program. Eligibility may depend on whether the code was eligible when you submitted your study permit application or your PGWP application. Check your program’s CIP code and the current IRCC list before applying.

04 How to Apply

You can apply online from inside or outside Canada if you meet the requirements. The usual process is:

Your application must be submitted within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program.

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

Confirm that your designated learning institution and specific program are PGWP-eligible. Review the program, language, field of study, attendance, and location requirements that apply to you.

2. Gather Your Documents

Prepare your passport, study permit, proof of program completion, official transcript, language test results, and proof of an eligible field of study, where required.

3. Apply Online Within the Deadline

Complete the application carefully, upload the required documents, and pay the applicable fees.

4. Monitor Your Application

IRCC may request biometrics, a medical examination, or additional information. Monitor your account and respond to any request by the stated deadline.

05 How Long a PGWP May Be Valid

The length of a PGWP generally depends on the type and normal length of your eligible program or programs and the expiry date of your passport.

Eligible Master’s Degree

A master’s degree program of at least eight months may result in a PGWP valid for up to three years, even if the program was less than two years.

Other Eligible Program Lasting at Least Eight Months but Less Than Two Years

The PGWP may be issued for up to the same length as the program.

Eligible Program Lasting Two Years or Longer

The PGWP may be issued for up to three years.

More Than One Eligible Program

The program lengths may be combined if each program meets the applicable requirements, including the minimum program length.

If your passport expires before the end of the period for which you are eligible, your PGWP may be issued only until the passport expiry date. After renewing your passport, you may apply on paper for the remaining eligible period. A PGWP generally cannot otherwise be extended.

06 Frequently Asked Questions

Does graduating from a designated learning institution automatically qualify you for a PGWP?+

No. Graduating from a designated learning institution does not automatically make you eligible. Your specific program must qualify for a PGWP, and you must meet all other applicable requirements.

Do I need a job offer to apply?+

No. A PGWP is an open work permit, so you generally do not need a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment to apply.

Can I work while waiting for a decision?+

You may work full-time while waiting if you had a valid study permit when you applied, completed your program, and were eligible to work off campus during your studies without exceeding the permitted hours. Otherwise, you must wait until your PGWP is approved before working.

Can I receive another PGWP after completing another program?+

No. A PGWP is generally available only once. Completing another program does not make you eligible for a second PGWP. However, the lengths of more than one eligible program may sometimes be combined when you apply for your first PGWP.

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