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Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

What is the Post Graduate Work Permit?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a valuable opportunity for international students stay in Canada and gain work experience.  It  allows international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian institutions to work in Canada for a duration equal to the length of their study program, up to a maximum of three years.

The permit is only granted once in a lifetime for each eligible student. You can’t get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a PGWP, students must have completed a full-time program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. The program must have been at least eight months in duration.

Duration of the permit

The PGWP allows international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian institutions to work in Canada for a duration equal to the length of their study program, up to a maximum of three years.

  • If your program was at least 8 months but less than 2 years: 

    You may receive a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program. For example, if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.

  • If your program was 2 years or more: you may receive  a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.
  • If you completed more than one program:  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 (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials) in length.

Work Authorization

The Post Graduate Work permit is an Open Work Permit that  allows graduates to work in Canada without the need for a job offer. Graduates are free to work for any employer and in any location within Canada.

PGWP holders have the flexibility to work in multiple jobs, change employers, and even be self-employed. There are no restrictions on the type of employment, allowing for a diverse range of work experiences.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The PGWP serves as a valuable pathway to permanent residency in Canada.

Canadian work experience gained through the PGWP can contribute significantly to eligibility for permanent residency programs such as the Express Entry system.