Open Work Permit

PGWP

  • After graduation, students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, which allows international students to work for 1 to 3 years based on their study duration. This is an open work visa, allowing students to work for any employer or be self-employed.

  • For studies in Canada lasting more than 8 months but less than 2 years, the duration of the PGWP generally matches the length of the study program. However, for programs lasting 2 years or more, graduates can receive a 3-year work permit. This policy was updated in 2024, allowing master’s and doctoral program graduates to apply for a 3-year PGWP regardless of the program length, as long as it exceeds 8 months.

  • In Quebec, studying vocational training programs of 1800 hours corresponds to a 3-year work permit. Graduates of 16-month continuous master’s or doctoral programs can also obtain a 3-year work permit.

  • Completing two 1-year programs can qualify for a 3-year work permit. The two programs can be unrelated, but the second credential must be obtained within 2 years of completing the first program.

Institutions That Meet The Requirements For Post-graduation Work Permits

    1. Public post-secondary educational institutions (colleges or universities).
    1. Private post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
    1. Vocational training schools in Quebec (both public and private).
    1. Although studying at private schools outside Quebec, applicants may still obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
    1. Some private flight schools also meet the requirements for post-graduation work permits.
  • Please note that certificates or diplomas issued by private institutions outside Quebec usually do not qualify for post-graduation work permits. This policy was updated in 2024, and programs offered by non-PGWP-eligible private institutions will no longer qualify. For details, see (policy update).

A Post-graduation Work Permit Can Only Be Obtained Once

  • Applicants can only obtain one post-graduation work permit. If the work permit expires and immigration is not successful, continuing to study in another program will not meet the conditions for a post-graduation work permit.
  • There are only limited ways to extend the post-graduation work permit:
    1. If an immigration application has already been submitted, a bridging work permit can be applied for.
    2. Applying for an LMIA or qualifying for limited situations that exempt from LMIA can lead to obtaining a closed work permit.
    3. Allowing a spouse to study can enable the application for a spouse work permit.

List

  • Application form IMM5710
  • Transcripts and graduation certificate
  • Passport or travel document, requiring scanned copies of the front page, signature page, and each page with a visa or stamp
  • If the applicant intends to work in health-sensitive fields such as nursing, education, or agriculture, a medical examination certificate is required
  • Digital photo

Special Reminder

  • Only full-time study qualifies for a post-graduation work permit. The only exception is if the applicant had to switch to part-time study due to insufficient course enrollment in their final term. Non-full-time study caused by subjective factors (such as taking a leave of absence, failing courses, or intentionally under-enrolling) may lead to a visa refusal.

  • The application for the post-graduation work permit must be submitted within 180 days after the school issues a confirmation letter of graduation. If the graduation letter and diploma are issued at different times, the earlier date will apply.

  • Applicants holding a valid study permit gain Implied Status after submitting their application for a post-graduation work permit and can start working immediately. As long as the study permit is valid at the time of application submission, the applicant can continue working even if the study permit expires and the post-graduation work permit has not yet been approved during the processing period.

  • The post-graduation work permit can be applied for from outside Canada, but the application process is more complicated than applying from within Canada, and the approval rate is relatively lower (the success rate for in-Canada applications is almost 100%), similar to work visas.

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