The Ultimate Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Guide

The Ultimate Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Guide

Post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) are open work permits issued to overseas students who have completed a programme of study in Canada. PGWPs allow the bearer to work for any employer, for as many hours as they like, and from any location in Canada.
PGWPs are valid for eight months to three years and are an excellent method to gain significant job experience in Canada. When an applicant has job experience in Canada, he or she has many more options for obtaining Canadian permanent residence.

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

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are issued to international students who have completed their studies at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). PGWPs are open work permits, which allow foreign nationals to work for any company, anywhere in Canada.
The PGWP, unlike most Canadian work permits, does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). PGWPs allow qualified graduates to get meaningful job experience in Canada. Many foreign people become eligible for Canada's permanent residency programmes after gaining sufficient work experience in the country.

PGWP quick facts

1. A post-graduation employment visa is valid for a period of eight months to three years.
2. A PGWP will not be awarded for a period of time that exceeds the applicant's period of study in Canada.
3. In general, the PGWP will last roughly the same amount of time as the applicant's period of study, up to a maximum of three years.
4. You are eligible for a PGWP equal to the duration of your programme of study if more than 50% of your programme of study is delivered in-person.
5. If you studied part-time or accelerated, the length of your PGWP will be the same as the length of your programme of study if you studied full-time.

Who is eligible for a PGWP?

A foreign citizen must be at least 18 years old and have studied full-time in Canada for at least 8 months to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The study programme must have been completed at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in one of the categories specified below. In addition, a foreign national must apply for a work permit within 180 days of completing their study programme.
If applying from within Canada, the applicant must have valid status at the time of application. If their study permission has expired or is about to expire, they may apply for guest status before applying for the PGWP. Applicants who apply for a PGWP prior to the expiration of their study permit, on the other hand, are permitted to begin working full-time immediately while their application is being processed. Applicants from other countries may apply for a PGWP.

ELIGIBLE LEVELS OF STUDY

PGWPs are available for the following levels of study and programmes:
- a public post-secondary school in Quebec, such as a college, trade/technical school, or university, or a CEGEP;
- a private post-secondary school that operates under the same rules as public schools (only applies to certain institutions in Quebec);
- a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programmes of 900 hours or longer, leading to a diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) or an atte
- A Canadian private school that can legally offer degrees under provincial law only to students engaged in degree-granting programmes approved by the province.

How long does it take to get a PGWP?

A PGWP might take between 80 and 180 days to complete. You are free to work in Canada while waiting for your PGWP if you applied before your student permit expired.
You have 180 days from the day you fulfilled all of the prerequisites of your programme of study to apply for your PGWP.
If you leave Canada after finishing your education, you can now apply for a PGWP from abroad. Previously, post-graduation work permit applications could only be submitted from within Canada. If a PGWP application is submitted from outside of Canada, the visa office that will process the application may seek extra documentation.

Can I work after graduation before I apply for my PGWP?

International graduates who apply for a PGWP before their study permit expires can lawfully begin working in Canada. These candidates are not required to have a Canadian work permit while waiting for a decision on their PGWP application. If your student permit has expired, you may be entitled to petition for reinstatement if you have been out of status for fewer than 90 days.

How many times can I apply for a PGWP?

A PGWP can only be applied for once. If you intend to continue your studies after completing your first programme, or if you intend to pursue a lengthier degree programme in Canada, you should apply for your PGWP strategically. Applying after the longest term of study will result in a PGWP with a maximum validity of three years.

How a PGWP can help you immigrate to Canada

The Post-Graduation Work Program in Canada is intended to provide an expedient way for overseas students in the country to get permanent residence status. A candidate can apply for the Canadian Express Entry immigration system by combining Canadian education with substantial full-time work experience in the country. An Express Entry applicant with a Canadian educational certificate and job experience will get crucial extra points towards their comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score, making them more competitive among other applicants for obtaining permanent residence status!
Provincial nominee programmes (PNPs), or the Quebec Experience Class programme if you studied in Quebec, are also immigration categories that favour candidates with a Canadian educational certificate and job experience.
Allow the Solex Law Firm's lawyers and legal specialists to take the guesswork out of your Canadian immigration plans. To get started, please contact us or complete a free online examination.