Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

After you graduate, you may be able to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years to gain valuable work experience in Canada. This open work permit allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada, and your job does not have to be directly related to your field of study (although it can be an excellent way to put your education into practice!).

Who can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

In general, you may be eligible for a PGWP if:

• You completed an eligible program of at least 8 months (or 900 hours in Quebec) at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI)
• You studied full-time in Canada for most of your program (you may be part-time in your final semester)
• You apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that you completed your program
• Your study permit was valid at some point in the 180 days after you finished your studies and before you apply for the PGWP

If you studied outside a university bachelor's, master's, or PhD program (for example, at a college, polytechnic, or non-university institution), your program usually also needs to be in a field of study that is in demand in Canada and linked to an eligible CIP code. These currently include areas such as:

• Agriculture and agri-food
• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trades
• Transport

The list of eligible programs and CIP codes can change, so it's important to check your program carefully.

If you are unsure whether your school, program, or field of study will make you eligible for a PGWP, we can review your situation and help you understand your options for working in Canada after graduation, as well as how this work experience can increase your chances of applying for permanent residency and, eventually, Canadian citizenship.