Post Graduation Work Permit

Post Graduation Work Permit

Who Is Elegibile For A PGWP?

A foreign national must be 18 years old and have completed a full-time post-graduate program at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) in Canada for at least 8 months to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). In addition, a foreign national must apply for a work permit within 180 days of completing their study program.

If submitting an application from within Canada, the applicant must have valid status at the time of submission. 

On the other hand, applicants who submit an application for a PGWP before their study permit expires are qualified to start working full-time while their application is being reviewed. For a PGWP, applicants from different nations are welcome.

Applying For A PGWP

Eligibility: A foreign national must be 18 years old and have completed an 8-month full-time program in Canada.

Timeline: A foreign national must apply for a work permit within 180 days of the completion of their study program.

Duration: You must submit your application within 180 days of receiving official transcripts confirming course completion from your DLI.

Location: You can apply for PGWP both within and outside of Canada.

Benefits: A PGWP is valid for 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length of the course. The immigration officer will determine the validity of your PGWP after verifying your supporting documents for the course completed.

A PGWP allows you to work full-time or part-time for any employer in Canada, gaining valuable Canadian work experience that will help you in the long run if you want to consider Canadian Permanent Residence. The PGWP also provides you with temporary legal status to work in Canada.

However, it is essential to note that your PGWP can only be extended up to its validity period. While it is valid, you may apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) if your PR application is pending or change your status to that of a visitor if you intend to stay in Canada for an extended period of time.