Post-Graduation Work Permit Program- PGWPP
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.
Students who have completed their program of study are allowed to work while they are waiting for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application, provided they meet all of the following criteria:
- They are or were holders of a valid study permit at the time of the post-graduation work permit application
- They were a full-time student enrolled at a DLI in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program
- They were authorized to work off-campus without a work permit
- They did not exceed the allo
All you need to apply for a PGWP is
- An official letter from your school that confirms you’ve completed your study program.
- An official transcript, or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website.
- You have 180 days after your school issues your final marks to apply for a post-graduation work permit. To be eligible for a PGWP, your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 day
Who’s ineligible for PGWP?
- Program of study is less than eight months long.
- Received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
- Obtained Canadian government scholarship (Canadian Commonwealth, CIDA, DFAIT)
- Previously been issued a post-graduation work permit.
- Studied online inside or outside of Canada, the length of the program is 6 months or less.
- Obtained Fullbright or Killam Fellowships ( Between Canada & United State of America).
- Rotary exchange students
- Obtained scholarship Canada-Chile or Canada-China
- Studied part-time, took time off without universities permission
- Not studied continuously full time
- Non-compliance with study permit conditions or other.
Under the PGWPP, an open work permit enables the foreign national to seek and accept employment and to work for any employer for a specified period of time. An open work permit also exempts the foreign national’s employer from the requirement of obtaining a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which is generally required to obtain a work permit.
Don’t have to wait until you physically receive your diploma or attend your graduation ceremony to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
When your study permit expires
Your study permit will expire on the date marked on the permit or 90 days after the day you complete your studies, whichever comes first.
You can work full-time while waiting for a decision on your post-graduation work permit application if, at the time you submitted your application, you:
- Had a valid study permit,
- Had completed your program of study,
- Were eligible to work off-campus without a permit, and
- Did not work off-campus more than 20 hours a week during academic sessions.
Once the post-graduation work permit expires, the student must apply for an LMIA to maintain work permit status. The LMIA is discussed further under the heading “Worker Class”.
