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Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

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Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) | SAAB Immigration Services, RCIC R536007

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

What this page covers

A PGWP is issued once in a lifetime. If the application is refused, or the field of study requirement is not met, there is no second attempt, so check the requirements before you enrol rather than after you graduate.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is designed to help international students who have completed their studies in Canada gain valuable work experience. This experience can help graduates transition to permanent residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry.

Key Information

  • Duration
    The validity of the PGWP can range from eight months to three years, depending on the length of the study program.
  • Eligibility
    Applicants must have completed a program of study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada that is at least eight months long.

  • Application Deadline
    You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final marks or completing your program.
  • Benefits
    Work experience gained through the PGWP can help graduates gain valuable Canadian Work Experience and potentially qualify for permanent residency.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must:

  • Have completed a study program at a DLI that was at least eight months long.
  • Have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program (exceptions may apply for the final academic session).
  • Have received a transcript and an official letter from your DLI confirming that you have met the requirements to complete your program.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Is No Longer Automatic

For years the PGWP was the reliable payoff at the end of a Canadian credential. Since November 2024 it is conditional, and the conditions reach backwards into the program you chose before you ever arrived. This is now the single most important thing to get right before accepting an offer of admission.

The Language Requirement, for applications from 1 November 2024:

  • CLB 7 in all four abilities for bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university programs
  • CLB 5 in all four abilities for college, polytechnic and other non-university programs
  • From 11 March 2025, non-university institutions granting degrees moved from CLB 5 to CLB 7
  • Flight school graduates are exempt from the language requirement
  • Test results must be less than two years old at the time of application

The Field of Study Requirement:

  • Applies where the initial study permit application was submitted on or after 1 November 2024
  • Applies only to graduates of programs that do not lead to a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree
  • Degree holders from any institution type are exempt, as are flight school graduates
  • The eligible list was frozen for all of 2026 on 15 January 2026, at 1,107 CIP coded programs
  • Because the list is frozen, a program that is not on it now will not become eligible mid-year

The exclusion added in 2026. Per guidance updated 24 June 2026, graduates of a non-credit program of study are ineligible for a PGWP entirely, flight school aside. This produced a wave of refusals for graduates of some private institutions who had every reason to believe they qualified.

The Requirements That Have Not Changed, and Still Catch People

The older criteria remain in force alongside the new ones, and they account for a steady share of refusals that had nothing to do with the 2024 reforms.

Core Criteria:

  • The program must have been at least eight months long, or 900 hours in Quebec
  • You must have maintained full-time status in each academic semester, apart from your final one and authorized leaves
  • You must apply within 180 days of receiving written confirmation that you completed your program
  • Your study permit must have been valid at some point during that 180 day window
  • The permit is issued once in a lifetime, so there is no second attempt if the first is refused on eligibility

Studies are treated as complete on the date the institution first notifies you, whether by completion letter, transcript or degree, and the study permit becomes invalid ninety days after that date. Waiting for a convocation ceremony before applying is a common and costly mistake.

How Long Is the Permit, and What Comes After?

The duration of the permit is tied to the length of your program, and it determines how much runway you have to accumulate the Canadian experience that most permanent residence routes now depend on.

How Duration Is Determined:

  • A program of eight months to less than two years generally yields a permit matching the program length
  • A program of two years or more generally yields a three year permit
  • A master’s program of less than two years may yield a three year permit where other criteria are met
  • Time on a PGWP counts toward the Canadian work experience required for the Canadian Experience Class
  • A Bridging Open Work Permit may be available once a qualifying permanent residence application is in progress

Because a job offer has been worth nothing on the Comprehensive Ranking System since 25 March 2025, the value of PGWP time now lies in the qualifying Canadian experience it builds, not in securing an offer that adds points. Planning the permanent residence route while the permit is still running, rather than in its final months, is what separates the applicants who transition successfully from those who run out of time.

Considering Post Graduate Work Permit? Speak With Us First.

Requirements in this area change more often than most applicants expect, and an application built on last year’s rules is where refusals begin. SAAB Immigration Services Inc. offers a complimentary ten minute consultation to establish where you stand against the current criteria. There is no obligation.

Ask us to take a look

How Do You Apply for a PGWP?

Does PGWP Work Count Toward Permanent Residence?

  • Gaining Work Experience: The PGWP allows you to work in any occupation and switch employers as needed, providing flexibility in gaining diverse work experience.
  • Pathway to Permanent Residency: The work experience gained through the PGWP can be used to qualify for permanent residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry. Ensure that your work experience is in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job to maximize your CRS score.

Important Considerations

Maintaining Status

Ensure you apply for the PGWP before your study permit expires to maintain your status in Canada.

Travel Restrictions

If you leave Canada while your PGWP application is being processed, re-entry may be difficult without a valid visa.

One-Time Opportunity
  • An international student can get a PGWP only once in their lifetime. It’s crucial to make it count and consider the timing and duration carefully.
  • If needed, you may be able to extend your stay with other types of work permits, such as an LMIA or PNP-based closed work permit, Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), or Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of a PGWP?
A PGWP allows graduates from Canadian DLIs to work in Canada for a period of one to up to three years.
Who is eligible for a PGWP?
Graduates from eligible programs at DLIs who apply within 180 days of receiving their final marks.
Can I work while my PGWP application is being processed?
Yes, if you had a valid study permit at the time of application.
Can I apply for a PGWP if I studied part-time?
You are generally required to have studied full-time to be eligible for a PGWP. However, exceptions may apply, such as during your final academic session. If you failed to maintain full-time status, your PGWP application will be refused. Despite this, we have experience in successfully representing clients with such situations. There are precedents where IRCC has granted work permits under special circumstances. Additionally, if the 180-day eligibility window to apply for a PGWP has passed, we have also assisted clients in obtaining work permits. Schedule an appointment with us to explore your options and get personalized advice on your situation.
Can I apply for a PGWP from outside of Canada?
Yes, you can apply for a PGWP from outside of Canada as long as you meet all other requirements. This provides flexibility for graduates who may have left Canada after their studies but still wish to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Does maintained status (formerly known as implied status) remain if I apply for a PGWP and then leave the country?
You can continue working on maintained status as long as you remain in Canada. If you leave Canada and then re-enter, you must wait for your work permit to be approved before you can start working again. This ensures that you comply with Canadian immigration regulations while your application is being processed.
What happens if my PGWP application is refused?
You may appeal the decision, reapply if your situation changes, or consider other immigration pathways.
Can I extend my PGWP?
No, PGWPs cannot be extended. However, you may be eligible to apply for other types of work permits or permanent residency.
Does the PGWP require a job offer?
No, you do not need a job offer to apply for a PGWP.
What are the next steps after my PGWP expires?
Consider applying for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) if you are eligible and have submitted your permanent residency application. Alternatively, explore other work permit options or PR pathways.

Discuss Your Post Graduate Work Permit Application With a Regulated Professional

Every file turns on its own facts. In a single consultation, Dikshit Soni, RCIC (R536007), will assess your circumstances against the requirements as they stand today, identify the weaknesses an officer is likely to test, and set out a realistic plan and timeline. Please book a time that suits you.

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Related Pages

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