Post Graduate Work Permit

Post-Graduate Work Permit

The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian universities to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWP program helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class.
Applicants can only receive 1 PGWP in their lifetime!

Applicants can apply for their PGWP if:

1. Currently hold valid status in Canada or have left Canada
2. They have successfully graduated from their program
3. Not breached any of their visa obligations while in Canada

Students who want their study permit to expire should do the following things:

1. Leave Canada and again make a fresh application for a study permit from other countries.
2. The students should pay the PGWP fees and also make an application for the restoration for student status and they should also pay the restoration fee.

A student who applies for a post-graduation work permit before the termination of the study permit can work under some specific guidelines which are

1. The candidates have a valid study permit before applying for PGWP
2. The candidates have completed graduation
3. They have done at least 8 months in the study program
4. During the educational program, the candidates have not exceeded the stipulated work hours.

A PGWP can take anywhere from 80 to 180 days to process. While waiting for your PGWP, you are free to work in Canada provided you applied prior to the expiry date of your student permit.
You have 180 days to apply for your PGWP from the date you completed all the requirements of your program of study.
If you leave Canada after your studies have been completed, you can now apply for a PGWP from overseas. If a PGWP application is submitted from outside of Canada, additional documentation may be requested depending on the visa office that will process the application.