Post-Graduation Work Permit

May 11, 2023

Are you aware that as international students in Canada, there are temporary work opportunities for you after graduation? Yes, you can work for up to three years if the length of your post-secondary program was eight months or more!

You read that right! If you have graduated from any of the eligible Canadian designated learning institutions, you can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).  

Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime. However, starting April 6, 2023, international graduates with recently expired or almost expired work permits, are now allowed to apply for an extension of the PGWP, for up to another 18 months.

Now that’s exciting if you are among the about 127,000 individuals whose post-graduation work permits are set to expire in 2023.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET PGWP?

To obtain a post-graduation work permit, you must:

  • Currently hold a valid temporary status or have left Canada. 
  • Have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI).
  • Have completed an academic, vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
  • Have been a full-time student at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training program.
  • Have received a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that you have met the requirements to complete your program of study.

HOW TO APPLY?

You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside or outside Canada as long as you graduated from a post-secondary institution located in Canada.

After you graduate, you have up to 180 days to apply for a PGWP. So, it is advisable to start early enough and have all relevant documents like your degree or diploma certificate, an official letter from your school or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website.

How you can apply for a PGWP depends on where you’re applying from, either from within or outside Canada. In most cases, you must apply online.

One amazing thing to note is that with a post-graduation work permit, you can work full-time, part-time, or even be self-employed. So, having learned this, would you take advantage of this opportunity to make a some bucks?!