A graduate often qualifies for a three-year work visa after completing a study program that lasted two years or more.
If the course of study is more than eight months but less than two years, the student will be given a work permit for the duration of the course of study.
What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program?
The post-graduation work permit program is a temporary Canadian work permit program that allows international students to apply for a work permit after graduation. The purpose of this program is to allow international students who have graduated from an advanced degree program in Canada, or other equivalent programs, to stay in Canada and work for a period of time.
The post-graduation work permit is issued with conditions attached such as:
You must not exceed the maximum duration of your student visa (90 days).
You must not leave Canada without first obtaining an extension from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Who is Eligible to Apply
You must fulfill all of the following conditions to be eligible for a PGWP:
You must have completed an eight-month program of study that resulted in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
You must have studied full-time during each academic session, with no breaks.
This excludes regular program breaks, such as winter or summer vacation for undergraduate students.
In order to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit, you must provide proof of graduation and English proficiency. You may also be required to submit proof of financial support, have a job or job offer, or academic fraud or misrepresentation.
You must apply for a post-graduate work permit before your current study permit expires. You can apply for a post-graduate work permit after you graduate, but you must have a job offer from an employer who will sponsor your application.
You must have finished at least 50% of your program in Canada, which is determined by how many courses you took there.
Make sure your program of study is eligible for a work permit. Most programs are eligible for SWPs but there are some exceptions that may affect eligibility such as those requiring specific qualifications or language skills. You should always enquire from the school administration office to learn which programs and courses qualify for the post-graduate work permit.
How long will my work permit be valid?
You will be issued a work permit that is valid for the length of your program. The work permit will be valid for up to three years and can be extended to six years if you are applying in a province that has a shortage of workers.
If you are a graduate student, you should ask for a personalized Letter of Completion that details the duration of your study. If the length of your graduate program is adjustable, such as 12–24 months, ask that your letter mention the amount of credits you are taking and/or the rigorous nature of your program. Then, create a letter of justification and seek assistance from international student advising.
How to Apply
You can only submit an application after receiving your Letter of Completion, which attests to the fact that you have fulfilled all program requirements. Your degree conferral, graduation ceremony, and the first day your Letter of Completion is made accessible are on different dates.
When you have finished all of the program criteria, be sure to keep a copy when you first view your Letter of Completion certifying that you have finished all of the program requirements.
If any of the following situations apply, you must immediately stop working once your Letter of Completion becomes available:
You submit your PGWP application right away and within 90 days of program completion while in possession of a valid study permit;
You're starting a new program of study and satisfy all requirements;
Even if your study permit's expiration date is many months down the road, it loses its validity 90 days after your Letter of Completion first becomes accessible.
If you don't submit an application for the PGWP with a valid study permit within 90 days of your Letter of Completion being available, before the 90-day window expires or before your study permission expires (whichever occurs first), you must:
Change your status to that of a tourist and submit a PGWP application from within Canada to the visa office that handles your country of citizenship,
Leave Canada and submit an application for the PGWP from abroad
Whether you are inside or outside of Canada, you have 180 days from the time your Letter of Completion becomes available to submit your PGWP application.
