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Work Opportunities After Graduation in Canada

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by Kathy Watkins

Canadian Work Permit Opportunities After Graduation

Are you an international student completing your studies at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada? Do you want to maximize the investment made in your Canadian education? Looking to take tangible steps towards becoming a permanent resident in Canada?

Upon graduating, you may qualify for a post-graduate work permit, allowing you to work in Canada for a period of 8 months to 3 years. This can be a valuable opportunity to gain Canadian work experience. After accumulating one year of skilled work, you can apply through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream in Express Entry, bringing you closer to permanent residency in Canada.

Learn how you can turn your time in Canada into a pathway to permanent residency. Discover the benefits and paths available post-graduation with Immigration to Canada. Start your journey towards securing permanent residency and making Canada home! 

After Graduation in Canada

Understanding the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

A Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that provides international students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Canada after completing their post-secondary education. This type of work permit allows graduates to work for any Canadian employer, without the need for a job offer. The duration of a PGWP ranges from 8 months to 3 years, depending on the length of the academic program you completed. Here’s a rough guideline for PGWP validity based on your program’s duration.

Advantages of Holding a PGWP

Obtaining a PGWP offers numerous advantages for international graduates:

Eligibility Criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada, several requirements must be met: 

  1. Valid Passport Requirement: Your passport must remain valid beyond the expiration date of your PGWP. If your passport’s expiration precedes your PGWP’s, the PGWP will be limited to your passport’s expiry date. To extend your PGWP, you should renew your passport to ensure it covers the entire duration of your intended work permit.

  2. Legal Status and Application Timing: Ensure you have legal status in Canada or have departed and are applying from abroad. Apply for your PGWP within 180 days after your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) issues your final academic results. To prevent your study permit from expiring before obtaining your PGWP, apply for a visitor record to stay legally in Canada. If your study permit expires, you have 90 days to restore your status. Failing to do either requires you to leave Canada to apply for the PGWP.

  3. Lifetime Limit: Note that only one PGWP is granted per person in a lifetime.

  4. Academic Program Requirements: You must complete a post-secondary program from an eligible Canadian institution that lasts at least eight months and results in a degree, diploma, or certificate. Confirm your program’s eligibility by checking if the last column in the list of DLIs indicates “Yes” for offering PGWP-eligible programs.

  5. Distance and International Learning Restrictions: No more than 50% of your coursework should be through distance learning. Programs with international components are acceptable, provided the issuing institution is in Canada. However, only the Canadian study period counts towards your PGWP duration.

  6. Transfers and Flight School Conditions: If you transfer between DLIs, the combined program length must be a minimum of eight months. Time spent at a non-DLI before transferring doesn’t count towards the PGWP duration. Flight school graduates must either have completed a flight-training course at a recognized DLI and obtained a Canadian commercial pilot’s license or be in the process of acquiring an instructor’s rating with a job offer as a flight instructor.

  7. Full-time Student Status: Maintain full-time enrollment throughout your program, except for approved breaks such as family emergencies or when only completing your final academic term part-time.

  8. Documentation: You must obtain a transcript and an official letter from your DLI confirming program completion, which should accompany your PGWP application. Online transcripts are acceptable.

  9. Application Period Conditions: Within 180 days of applying, you should have had a valid study permit, held one before that period, or were authorized to study under specific IRPR provisions for diplomats and military personnel.

Ineligibility Factors: You are not eligible for a PGWP if you have previously received one, held a scholarship funded by Global Affairs Canada (unless it’s a Study in Canada Scholarship), participated in certain government or international exchange programs, had over 50% of credits by distance learning, attended non-Canadian institutions in Canada, or studied English/French as a second language.

Contact Immigration to Canada for personalized assistance with your PGWP application and to ensure you meet all immigration requirements for a successful transition to work in Canada.

Applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

At Immigration to Canada, we help streamline your journey through the PGWP application process, which is predominantly online. However, if you need to amend your post-graduate work permit’s conditions or extend its tenure, a paper application may be required. Additional documentation often necessitates these changes, so ensure immigration authorities confirm the need before proceeding.

Essential Documents for PGWP Application:

  1. Official Transcript from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  2. Official Letter from your DLI confirming completion of your study program.

Most applicants must provide biometric data, as it is a requirement for citizens of many countries when applying for Canadian immigration purposes.

Starting Your PGWP Application:

Begin by completing a survey on the official website to get personalized instructions.

For Applicants Inside Canada:

You will need:

  • A scanner or camera for creating electronic document copies.
  • A valid credit or debit card for payment.

Consult Application Guide (Guide 5580) for detailed instructions on filling out the online form. Your first task is to answer personal questions via an online tool to establish a customized document checklist tailored to your situation.

Remember to pay all necessary fees online, including the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee. You’ll also need to create an online account to proceed; instructions are available on the registration page.

For paper submissions within Canada, eligibility requires:

  • A disability preventing online application, OR
  • Issues with your online application.

Follow the link provided for guidance on submitting a paper application if you cannot apply online from within Canada.

For Applicants Outside Canada:

Decide whether to apply online or via paper from outside Canada.

Applying Online from Outside Canada:

You’ll need:

  • A scanner or camera for electronic document copies.
  • A valid credit or debit card.

Refer to Application Guide (Guide 5487) for step-by-step form instructions. Similar to the inside Canada process, start by using the tool for personal questions, leading to a custom document checklist.

Fees payable online include:

  • Open work permit holder fee
  • Work permit fee
  • Biometrics fee (often required)

Other potential requirements include:

  • Police certificate
  • Medical examination
  • Visa Application Centre services

Create an online account following the registration guide’s steps.

Paper Application from Outside Canada:

Study the instruction guide (Guide 5487) to avoid errors, as processing fees are non-refundable. Download the application package, fill it in, and attach mandatory documents.

Fees to pay include:

  • Work permit holder fee
  • Work permit fee
  • Biometrics fee (if applicable)

Online fee payment is mandatory even for paper applications, and you’ll need:

  • A credit or debit card
  • An email address
  • A computer with internet and printer access

Attach your receipt to the application form and mail it to the specified address in your application package.

FAQ
What options do I have to work in Canada after graduation?

International students who graduate from a designated learning institution in Canada may be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This permit allows you to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation, depending on the length of your study program.

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit that allows graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions to work in Canada after completing their studies. The PGWP provides an opportunity for graduates to gain valuable work experience and potentially qualify for permanent residency through various immigration pathways.

Am I eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have completed a program of study that is at least eight months long at a designated learning institution in Canada. Additionally, you must have maintained full-time student status during each academic session of your program, except for your final semester or with an approved leave, and have a valid study permit when applying.

How long can I work in Canada with a PGWP?

The length of your PGWP depends on the duration of your study program. If your program was at least eight months but less than two years, your PGWP will be valid for the same length of time as your program. If your program was two years or longer, you may be eligible for a PGWP valid for up to three years.

How do I apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

You can apply for a PGWP online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. It's important to apply within 180 days of receiving your final marks or official notification of program completion. You must have a valid study permit at some point during these 180 days to be eligible to apply for a PGWP.

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