Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to international graduates of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) that permits full-time employment with any Canadian employer for 1–3 years (depending on program length). Unlike employer-sponsored work permits, the PGWP does not require a specific job offer or employer sponsorship; graduates can work for any employer in any field. The PGWP is a critical pathway to Canadian permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of Express Entry, which prioritizes skilled workers with Canadian work experience. As of November 2024, PGWP eligibility criteria have been significantly tightened, including language proficiency requirements and program length minimums; applicants should verify current requirements before applying, as the rules have changed substantially from previous years.

Key facts

Eligibility (as of November 2024)

• Completed a full-time study program of minimum 8 months at a DLI in Canada (program length requirement tightened in November 2024)
• Program must be at least one full-time academic year (8 months minimum; previously shorter programs were eligible)
• English or French proficiency: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or National Occupational Classification Level (NCLC) 7 as of November 2024; no formal test requirement, but proficiency is assessed at admission/graduation
• Program must have ended on or after the application date (cannot apply before graduation)
• Application submitted within 180 days of receiving official completion notification from the institution
• Not enrolled in another study program at time of application (or will withdraw before PGWP start date)
• Valid passport (valid for duration of PGWP)
• No criminal history or security concerns
• Health requirements: TB screening if from high-incidence country; no serious health conditions
• Dependent children (if including on permit) must be assessed for eligibility

Required documents

• Official letter of completion from the DLI confirming:
  • Program completion date
  • Program name and level (certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
  • Full-time enrollment status
  • Total program duration
• Valid passport: Copy of photo page and any pages with visas or travel records
• Proof of English or French proficiency (may not be required if proficiency assessed at institution, but helpful to include):
  • IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 90+, CELPIP 7+, or DELF/DALF equivalent for CLB/NCLC 7
  • Institution transcript or completion letter may attest to language proficiency if program was delivered in English/French
• Evidence of Canadian work authorization (if applicable): Proof of job offer or employment contract with Canadian employer (optional but strengthens application if demonstrating genuine Canadian work intent)
• Proof of Canadian address (or intended Canadian address): Lease, rental agreement, or confirmation of accommodation in Canada
• Passport-style photograph: 2×2 inches, meeting IRCC specifications (usually required for online applications)
• Medical examination results (if from country with health screening requirement): Form IMM 1017 or 1023
• Police clearance certificate (if spent 6+ months outside home country since turning 18): Optional but may be requested

Application steps

1. Confirm program completion: Receive official completion/graduation notification from your DLI. This date triggers the 180-day deadline for PGWP application.

2. Verify eligibility: Ensure your program meets the minimum 8-month duration requirement (effective November 2024); check that your institution is a DLI; confirm language proficiency meets CLB/NCLC 7 minimum.

3. Request official letter of completion from your DLI’s student services office. The letter should confirm:

   • Program completion date
   • Program name and level
   • Full-time enrollment confirmation
   • Total program duration (in months or years)

4. Create or log into IRCC My Account: Visit ircc.canada.ca to access your online account (use email and password to log in; create account if you don’t have one).

5. Initiate PGWP application:

   • Select “Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit”
   • Confirm eligibility questions (DLI completion, program duration, etc.)
   • Proceed with online application form

6. Complete PGWP application form:

   • Personal details (full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality)
   • Education details (DLI name, program completion date, program duration)
   • Program level (diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
   • Language proficiency (English or French; may be automatically assessed if program was in that language)
   • Family details (spouse/partner and dependent children information if including on permit)
   • Work history (if applicable; employment after graduation)
   • Criminal and health history declarations

7. Declare dependants (if applicable):

   • Include spouse/partner information (full name, date of birth, passport number)
   • Include dependent children information (full names, dates of birth, passport numbers)
   • Dependants receive work authorization on the same permit

8. Upload supporting documents:

   • Official completion letter from DLI
   • Copy of valid passport
   • Proof of language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, or DELF/DALF certificate if taking formal test; otherwise institution attestation)
   • Medical examination results (if from high-TB-incidence country; physician submits directly)
   • Police clearance (if applicable)
   • Passport-style photograph (if required)
   • Job offer or employment contract (optional but helpful)

9. Review application: Check all information for accuracy before submission. Verify:

   • Correct program completion date
   • Accurate program duration
   • Proper passport number
   • Correct family information (if including dependants)

10. Submit application: Submit completed application and supporting documents through IRCC online portal. Receive application receipt and reference number.

11. Await processing: IRCC processes application; standard processing is 4–12 weeks. Check application status in your IRCC My Account.

12. Respond to requests: If IRCC requests additional documents (via My Account or email), provide within specified timeframe (typically 28 days).

13. Receive decision notification: Approval or request for information sent to your My Account and email.

14. Receive PGWP approval letter: Once approved, receive:

    • Official approval letter (e-mail notification or digital document in My Account)
    • Work permit number
    • Valid dates of permit
    • Conditions of permit (typically: “work for any employer in Canada,” “no restrictions on location,” “no restrictions on field”)

15. Activate work permit: If approved while still in Canada on Study Permit, you automatically transition to PGWP status upon Study Permit expiry (if Study Permit was still valid). If Study Permit has expired, you must ensure PGWP is approved before Study Permit expires (becoming out of status violates conditions).

16. Begin employment: Start work with any Canadian employer. No employer sponsorship or approval required.

Financial proof / maintenance funds

PGWP does not require proof of financial capacity; applicants do not need to demonstrate funds to support themselves during the work permit period (assumed to be employed).

Work rights

Unrestricted work authorization:

• Work full-time for any Canadian employer (no employer sponsorship required)
• No restrictions on occupation, field, or sector
• Can change employers at any time without notifying IRCC
• Multiple employers simultaneously (e.g., part-time jobs with different employers)
• Self-employment or business ownership (must register with Canada Revenue Agency as self-employed)
• Freelance or contract work
• No minimum or maximum hours per week

Work location and travel:

• Must work in Canada; can travel outside Canada while on valid PGWP (can re-enter using valid passport and work permit)
• Can work remotely for Canadian employers while traveling
• No cap on travel frequency

Dependants:

• Spouse/partner included on permit receives equivalent work authorization (open work permit, any employer)
• Dependent children included on permit can work (typically part-time if in school, full-time if not in school)

Transition to permanent residency:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Primary pathway; requires 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within 3 years of PGWP application
• Work experience clock: Time worked on PGWP counts toward CEC eligibility requirements (1 year full-time work = 1,560 hours)
• Express Entry: Apply to Express Entry pool while on or after PGWP; if invited, can apply for permanent residency via CEC or other economic class
• Provincial sponsorship: May become eligible for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination if employer sponsors or province nominates based on skills

Common refusal or complication reasons

• Program does not meet minimum 8-month requirement (November 2024 tightening): Shorter programs (previously eligible) no longer qualify; only programs of 8+ months are eligible
• Language proficiency below CLB/NCLC 7: Formal assessment required as of November 2024; programs not delivered in English or French may require proof of English/French proficiency
• Application submitted after 180-day deadline: Strict deadline; applications after 6 months of completion notification are rejected
• Program not at DLI: Completed studies at non-designated institution; PGWP not available
• Not full-time study: Program was part-time; PGWP eligibility requires full-time enrollment
• Enrolled in another program: Applicant is currently enrolled in another study program; must withdraw before PGWP approval
• Study permit expired before PGWP approval: If Study Permit expires and PGWP approval is not yet received, applicant becomes out of status (complicates transition and may result in refusal)
• Criminal history or security concerns: Refusal if IRCC identifies character or security issues
• Health grounds: Positive TB test (if from high-incidence country and screening required)

Recent changes

Language proficiency requirement tightened (November 2024): Major policy change requiring minimum CLB 7 or NCLC 7 English or French proficiency; previously, language was not explicitly required. Institutions must assess language at admission/graduation; applicants may need to provide IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 90+, CELPIP 7+, or DELF/DALF equivalent.

Minimum program duration raised (November 2024): Programs of less than 8 months are no longer eligible for PGWP. Previously, 6-month diploma programs qualified. This significantly reduced PGWP accessibility for short-term students.

DLI eligibility criteria expanded (2024): Some non-traditional institutions (online programs from DLIs, research stations, etc.) were reclassified; applicants should verify their specific program institution is recognized as DLI.

Processing time improvements (2024): Average processing reduced from 12 weeks to 4–8 weeks due to system automation.

Dependent inclusion simplified (2024): Process for including spouse/partner and children on PGWP application streamlined; family members can now be added in initial application (previously required separate applications in some cases).

Related visas or statuses

• Study Permit: The visa under which applicant studied in Canada; PGWP follows Study Permit
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Permanent residency pathway; primary route for PGWP holders
• Express Entry: Federal skilled immigration system; PGWP holders apply through this system
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Provincial sponsorship for permanent residency; PGWP holders may qualify if nominated
• Employer-sponsored work permit (International Mobility Program): Alternative work authorization if employer gets Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption
• Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa): Tourist/visit visa; not suitable for work
• Spouse/Partner visa: Family-based permanent residency; PGWP holders can apply if married/partnered to Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Primary sources

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit
• IRCC: PGWP Eligibility and Requirements
• IRCC: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Study in Canada: Post-Graduation Opportunities
• IRCC My Account: PGWP Application Portal

Last updated: 2026-04-18.