PGWP – Work in Canada After You Graduate

PGWP / Post-Graduation Work Permit For International Students

Both Individual & Family Applicants

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Post-Graduation Work Permit Resources

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Post Graduation Work Permit Application for Principal Applicants

Temporary Public Policies in Effect for PGWP

  • students enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in progress in March 2020
  • students who began PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022

1) Application Deadline Exemption for Graduates Outside of Canada

Normally, PGWP applicants are required to hold or to have held a valid study permit within 180 days of applying for their PGWP.

This temporary public policy exempts PGWP applicants who graduated outside of Canada if they were enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in progress in March 2020 OR began PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022.

Find more info here…

2) Up to 100% Distance Learning Allowed

Normally, at least 50% of a PGWP applicant’s courses must have been completed in person in Canada. In addition, all distance learning completed from outside Canada is excluded from the length of the PGWP.

This temporary public policy allows for up to 100% of distance learning. See how it applies:

a) Full Facilitation Measures: Up to 100%

Up to 100% of a PGWP applicant’s program can be completed from outside Canada if they were enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in progress in March 2020 OR began PGWP-eligible programs between March 2020 and August 31, 2022.

In addition for this group, up until December 31, 2023, time spent studying outside of Canada can be counted toward the overall length of the PGWP

b) Reduced Facilitation Measures: Up to 50%

Up to 50% of a PGWP applicant’s program can be completed from outside Canada if they began PGWP-eligible programs between September 1 2022 and December 31, 2023.

In addition for this group, up until December 31, 2023, time spent studying outside of Canada will be counted toward the overall length of the PGWP only if it constitutes less than 50% of the program.

c) Distance Learning in Canada

Until December 31, 2023, 100% of online studies in Canada still count toward the length of the PGWP.

Find more info here…

3) Full-time Studies Exemption

Normally, students must maintain full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program (with some exceptions like authorized leave or part-time during the final semester).

This temporary public policy exempts the PGWP applicant from meeting the requirement to maintain full-time student status for the Winter, Spring, and Summer 2020 semesters (January 1, 2020 – August 31, 2020.

Find more info here…

4) 18-Month PGWP Extension 2021-2023

This temporary public policy allows holders of PGWPs expiring between September 20, 2021 – December 31, 2023 are eligible to apply for an 18-month Open Work Permit.

In addition, this public policy waives the requirement of paragraph R200(3)(e), which prohibits the issuance of a work permit where there has been unauthorized work or study.

Lastly, this public policy waives the 90-day restoration period for eligible applicants.

Find more info here…

What is a PGWP?

PGWP is an acronym for Post-Graduation Work Permit. It is an open work permit that allows eligible students who have graduated in Canada to work anywhere in Canada and for any employer (with the exception of prohibited occupations). If you would like to stay in Canada after your studies, there is no better option than an application for a PGWP to help you immigrate to Canada.

As the name suggests, this open work permit was made for eligible international students who completed their post-secondary study program in Canada. This work permit is normally valid for 8 months to 3 years depending on the length of your studies and Canadian work experience gained on a PGWP can be used to help support your application for Canadian permanent residency.

PGWP Eligibility Requirements

  1. Graduated from a PGWP-approved program from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that was at least 8 months in duration, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
  2. Maintained full-time student status during each academic session of the program(s) completed
    • Exceptions:
      • You studied part-time during the final academic session of your program. You are still eligible for the PGWP if you only had part-time status only during the final academic session of your program.
      • You received authorized leave from studies. You are still eligible for the PGWP if you took a period of leave (up to 150 days) from your studies that were authorized by your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
      • Your Designated Learning Institution went on strike. You are still eligible for the PGWP and considered to have studied full-time in Canada if you have been impacted by a strike affecting a DLI in Canada.
  3. Apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit / PGWP within 180 days of completing your program of study
  4. Within 180 days of applying for the PGWP you must have held a study permit or were authorized to study in Canada without a study permit.
  5. Completed at least 50% of your courses inside Canada and in person
  6. Currently hold valid temporary status or have left Canada
  7. Never received a PGWP before

PGWP Application Package: Supporting Documents, Forms, and Fees

Required Documents:

  1. IMM 5710 – Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker
  2. Letter of Completion from DLI
  3. Unofficial/Official Copy of Final Transcripts
  4. Passport (bio page and all marked/stamped pages)
  5. Digital Photo (following these specs)

Other Supporting Documents When Applicable:

  1. IMM5257 – Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada
  2. IMM5476 – Use of Representative/IMM5713 – Use of a Family Member Representative
  3. Your degree, diploma, or certificate
  4. Your current status document
  5. Proof of upfront medical exam
  6. Letter of Explanation

Fees:

  1. Work Permit Processing Fee: $155
  2. Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100
  3. Biometrics (may be required): $85
  4. Immigration Medical Exam (may be required): Varies in fee

Flagpoling:

If you are flagpoling, please bring with you:

  1. All IDs
  2. Proof of valid Canadian status
  3. Bring all supporting documents for your application properly labelled in a folder
  4. Bring a valid payment card
  5. Upfront medical exam when applicable

Additionally, you should make sure you familiarize yourself with the information contained in all your supporting documents as well as your recent travel history.

When you are flagpoling, you don’t need:

  1. Your IMM application forms
  2. A USA visa (unless you plan on visiting the USA)
  3. A Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – As explained above, Canadian immigration regulations allow foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status in Canada to visit the USA and return even without a valid TRV.

Online Application VS Flagpoling

Online Application for Post-Graduation Work Permit

An online application for PGWP is made using your IRCC Secure Account. After logging in, you’ll have to create a new application, answer questions related to eligibility, and upload application forms and documents before being directed to pay and submit your online application. Online applications for PGWP can take several months to process (processing times are updated frequently here)

Flagpoling for Post Graduation Work Permit

Flagpoling for PGWP is the process of applying for your work permit at a Canada-US port of entry (border). Flagpoling is used by applicants to get their work permit issued immediately instead of waiting the regular online processing times. Normally, only visa-exempt foreign nationals can apply for work permits at a port of entry. However, Canadian law allows for port-of-entry work permit applications for both visa-required and visa-exempt nationals:

Part 11 Division 2

Application on entry

198 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a foreign national may apply for a work permit when entering Canada if the foreign national is exempt under Division 5 of Part 9 from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa.

Part 9 Division 5

Visa exemption — purpose of entry

190 (3) A foreign national is exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa if they are seeking to enter and remain in Canada solely

(f) to re-enter Canada following a visit solely to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, if they

(i) held a study permit or a work permit that was issued before they left Canada on such a visit or were authorized to enter and remain in Canada as a temporary resident, and

(ii) return to Canada by the end of the period initially authorized for their stay or any extension to it;

We recommend contacting us immediately if you have received a refusal on your PGWP application or if any of the following list of items apply to you. Remember, you are only eligible for a PGWP for 180 days after completing your studies. Many students who receive refusals are no longer eligible to reapply.

Top Reasons for PGWP Refusal

1. You didn’t know that your study permit has expired after 90 days of completing your studies.

Your study permit becomes invalid 90 days after completing your studies regardless of if the permit has a longer expiry date. If your status expires, you must restore your status to a student and submit a PGWP application. Make sure you apply for your PGWP before it expires.

2. You continued working after receiving your completion letter

Once an individual completes their studies, they are no longer actively pursuing studies in Canada. Working after completing their studies makes them non-compliant with the conditions of their study permit and they will receive a negative decision on their application.

3. You worked more than the authorized amount during your studies

There are specific conditions for how many hours a week an international student can work in Canada. Working beyond the authorized hours will make you non-compliant with the conditions of your study permit and make you ineligible for a PGWP.

4. You studied part-time in one or more academic sessions (excluding the final semester)

It is a requirement for PGWP that you study full-time during all academic sessions of your study program except for the final semester.

5. You didn’t include a letter or explanation and supporting documents to explain gaps in your studies

Unauthorized leave from studies will make you ineligible for a PGWP. If you received authorization for leave from your DLI, you must include a letter of explanation with supporting evidence at the time of application to disclose the gap in your studies.

6. IRCC officer made a mistake

IRCC officers are human beings and can make mistakes. It’s important to pay attention to all the details of your application and prepare a comprehensive package to reduce the chances for officer error.

Open Work Permit Application for Spouses, Common-law Partners and/or Accompanying Children

What is an OWP?

OWP is an acronym for Open Work Permit. It allows you to work for any employer, anywhere in Canada (with the exception of prohibited occupations).

As the spouse/common-law partner or dependent child of a PGWP applicant or holder, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.

Open Work Permit Eligibility Requirements For Family Members

To be eligible to apply for an open work permit, there are certain requirements for the PGWP applicant/holder as well as the family member applying for the OWP.

PGWP Applicant/Holder Eligibility Requirements

  1. Must hold a valid PGWP OR make an application for PGWP together with OWP
  2. PGWP must be valid/will be valid for at least 6 months after submitting the OWP application
  3. Be employed or will be employed in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 occupation at the time the OWP application is made
  4. PGWP applicant is living in Canada or plans to live in Canada while working

Family Member OWP Applicant Eligibility Requirements

  1. Be the spouse, common-law partner, OR the dependent child of the PGWP applicant
    • Children qualify as dependants if they:
      • are under 22 years old and (some children over 22 years may qualify due to mental/physical conditions)
      • don’t have a spouse or partner
  2. Must have valid status in Canada OR be outside of Canada
    • Valid status means:
      • Having a valid temporary resident status
      • Having applied to extend your status before it expired (maintained status/implied status)
      • Being eligible to restore their status as a visitor, worker, or student

OWP Application Package: Supporting Documents, Forms, and Fees

Required Documents If Applying Together With PGWP

  1. IMM 5710 – Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker
  2. Proof of Relationship to PGWP Applicant/Holder
    • Spouses/Common-Law Partners:
      • Marriage Certificate OR
      • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)
    • Dependent Children:
      • Birth Certificate and
      • Adoption Papers (if applicable)
  3. Proof of Employment in a TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Occupation
    • Your employer should write you a letter including the details of your employment, occupation, job duties, NOC code, and TEER category AND
    • Job Offer Letter
  4. Passport (bio page and all marked/stamped pages)
  5. Digital Photo (following these specs)

Required Documents If Applying Separately With PGWP

  1. IMM 5710 – Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker
  2. Proof of Relationship to PGWP Applicant/Holder
    • Spouses/Common-Law Partners:
      • Marriage Certificate OR
      • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)
    • Dependent Children:
      • Birth Certificate and
      • Adoption Papers (if applicable)
  3. Proof of PGWP and minimum 6-month validity
    • Copy of PGWP
    • Application confirmation letter for PGWP
  4. Proof of Employment in a TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Occupation
    • Your employer should write you a letter including the details of your employment, occupation, job duties, NOC code, and TEER category AND
    • Job Offer Letter
  5. Passport (bio page and all marked/stamped pages)
  6. Digital Photo (following these specs)

Other Supporting Documents

  1. IMM5257 – Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada
  2. IMM5476 – Use of Representative/IMM5713 – Use of a Family Member Representative
  3. Your current status document
  4. Proof of upfront medical exam
  5. Letter of Explanation

Fees:

  1. Work Permit Processing Fee: $155
  2. Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100
  3. Biometrics (may be required): $85
  4. Immigration Medical Exam (may be required): Varies in fee

Flagpoling:

If you are flagpoling, please bring with you:

  1. All IDs
  2. Proof of valid Canadian status
  3. Bring all supporting documents for your application properly labelled in a folder
  4. Bring a valid payment card
  5. Upfront medical exam when applicable

Additionally, you should make sure you familiarize yourself with the information contained in all your supporting documents as well as your recent travel history.

When you are flagpoling, you don’t need:

  1. Your IMM application forms
  2. A USA visa (unless you plan on visiting the USA)
  3. A Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – As explained above, Canadian immigration regulations allow foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status in Canada to visit the USA and return even without a valid TRV.

Check the flagpoling section for PGWP above to learn more.

Study Permit Extension Application for Accompanying Children

What is a Study Permit?

Study permits are documents that allow foreign nationals to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.

As long as the minor has valid temporary resident status, a study permit is not required for a minor child who is already in Canada with a parent who has a study permit or work permit. However, there are a few reasons why applying for a study permit is advantageous.

  1. They can remain in school during the validity of their study permit even when they are no longer a minor
  2. They can apply for a co-op work permit
  3. They can access social services in some provinces or territories

PGWP Application Package: Supporting Documents, Forms, and Fees

Required Documents:

  1. IMM 5709 – Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student
  2. Letter of Acceptance
  3. Proof of Financial Support – parent’s job offer letter, reference letter, payslips, bank statements, etc.
  4. Proof of Parent’s PGWP (if applying separately)
  5. Proof of Relationship to PGWP Applicant/Holder
    • Birth Certificate and
    • Adoption Papers (if applicable)
  6. Passport (bio page and all marked/stamped pages)
  7. Digital Photo (following these specs)

Other Supporting Documents

  1. IMM5257 – Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada
  2. IMM5476 – Use of Representative/IMM5713 – Use of a Family Member Representative
  3. Letter of Enrollment
  4. Your current status document
  5. Letter of Explanation

Fees:

  1. Study Permit Processing Fee: $150
  2. Biometrics (may be required): $85
  3. Immigration Medical Exam (may be required): Varies in fee

Flagpoling for Study Permit

You can only flagpole for a study permit if you are:

  1. A US citizen,
  2. A Permanent Resident of the United States, or rather a Green Card holder,
  3. A person that the US has lawfully admitted for permanent residence,
  4. A resident of St. Pierre and Miquelon, or
  5. A resident of Green Land. (Source: section 214 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations)

If your entire family is flagpoling to extend their status, you can bring your minor child and obtain a visitor record. Upon re-entry, you can apply for a study permit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Even if the WP-EXT letter has expired, you can continue to work until a decision is made on your work permit application. If you need proof of authorization to continue working, you can submit a request to IRCC via webform.

Find out more about work authorization after submitting a post-graduation work permit application.

Timing your PGWP application should be done on a case by case basis because there are advantages and disadvantages to applying right away vs waiting. Risk factors must be assessed to make an informed decision on application strategy. Here are some important points to keep in mind.

  • To be eligible for PGWP, you must apply within 180 days of completing your studies. This means that while you can take up to 180 days to find employment, depending on when you apply and how long the processing time is, you may not have to option to reapply if you receive a refusal.
  • Your study permit expires 90 days after you complete your studies or on the expiry date of your study permit, whichever comes first. You must have valid status in Canada to apply for a PGWP meaning you may need to extend, change, or restore your status in Canada.

Only some PGWP applicants are allowed to begin working right away after submitting their application. To be eligible, you must have at the time of submitting your PGWP:

  1. Held a valid study permit (You must have applied for your PGWP before the expiry of your study permit).
  2. Completed your program of study.
  3. Were eligible to work off campus without a work permit.
  4. Did not work off-campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.

If you said yes to all of the above, then congratulations! You are eligible to work while IRCC processes your PGWP application. Skilled Canadian work experience that you gain during this time can also count towards your PR eligibility.

Unfortunately, you cannot apply on paper unless you are submitting your PGWP application online due to a disability that prevents you from making an online application or there is a problem with the online application.

Sometimes, you may have personal circumstances that require you to get Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit as soon as possible. In situations like these, it may be worthwhile to assess if you are eligible to flagpole for your PGWP and obtain it on the spot.

Yes, as long as you have a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you can leave and re-enter Canada. If you were eligible to work after submitting your PGWP application, you can continue to do so even if you left and re-entered Canada.

If you apply to extend your temporary stay in Canada before your status expires, you receive Maintained Status. Maintained status allows you to remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application. Under certain situations, you may be given authorization to study or work while on maintained status.

More specifically for PGWP applications, you are eligible to work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application if, at the time you submitted your application, all of the following applied to your situation:

  • You had a valid study permit.
  • You had completed your program of study.
  • You were eligible to work off campus without a permit.
  • You did not exceed the allowable hours of work

Work experience in Canada gained on maintained status is still valid to be counted towards Canadian work experience requirements for permanent residency. Many international students take advantage of being allowed to work to gain valuable Canadian work experience as fast as possible.

You may be able to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.

Each of the programs you completed must be

  • PGWP-eligible and
  • at least 8 months in length

For example, by combining two one-year programs, you can be eligible for a 3-year PGWP. For certain individuals, extending their status as a student and taking an extra program may make their Post-Graduation Work Permit valid for 3 years and increase the likelihood of becoming eligible for Permanent Residency.

You can’t get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.

PGWP applications have constantly changing average processing times. On average, processing times have historically been between 4-5 months but you can find current data by clicking this link that takes you to IRCC’s processing time page.

If you are waiting for your PGWP and would like to share your processing timeline with other PGWP applicants, you can join this PGWP Facebook Group or Reddit Subreddit.

Unfortunately, the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program normally does not allow for extensions. The only instance where you can extend your PGWP is if you didn’t receive the full length of a PGWP you were eligible for due to an early expiring passport. In situations like these, you can submit a PGWP extension request after renewing your passport.