Post-Graduation Work Permit for Canada: Complete Guide
Canada is one of the world’s leading economies, making it an ideal place to settle after graduation. But what are the eligibility requirements in Canada for a post-graduation work permit, the interested students may ask. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to work as a full-time employee in the country and explore the best job opportunities there. After receiving their final marks, students have 180 days to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Students are eligible to apply for the PGWP only if their study permit or visa was valid at some point during the 180-day period. Canada is very particular about the eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits for international students. To apply on time, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements for a post-graduation work permit in Canada.
APPLY FOR A PGWP BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF YOUR STUDY PERMIT
International students need a valid permit to stay in Canada. If the study permit of international students expires before the declaration of final marks, they have the following two options to extend their stay.
1. Apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada for an extended period till the final marks are declared.
2. Leave Canada and then apply for a post-graduation work permit. If the study permit of international students expires, they need to restore it to apply for a post-graduation work permit. To restore the study permit, the students need to pay additional charges.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT?
1. International students can apply for a post-graduation work permit only when their study permit or student visa is valid. A study visa is a temporary visa and has an expiration date.
2. International students with a visitor card can apply for a PGWP.
3. Students who have applied for the expiration of their student visa or study permit before the end of their tenure. However, no decision has been made on this.
4. Students who have applied for the change of student visa status to visitor status within the visa tenure, but no decision has been made.
5. Students who have completed a specialisation at any Designated Learning Institute (DLI). The course should have a minimum tenure of 8 months, and a degree or certificate should be awarded.
6. Students who have maintained a full-time status for every semester during the course. This will not include your final semester, as final-year students have opportunities for part-time jobs to earn a living. The students need approval from their respective DLI to work during their final semester.
7. Students who graduated from public post-secondary schools, like reputed colleges, technical universities, and schools.
8. Students who graduated from private secondary schools.
9. Students who graduated from private secondary or post-secondary schools that offer specialisation and programs of 900+ hours.
10. Students who graduated from Canadian schools where they can be awarded degrees like associate, bachelor’s, or master’s. The program should award a degree or a certificate as accepted by the province.
PROCESSING TIME FOR POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT CANADA
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) can take 80 to 180 days to process. One is free to work in Canada while waiting for their PGWP, provided they applied for it before the expiry date of their student permit. A student has 180 days from the completion date of all requirements for their program of study to apply for their PGWP.
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT?
1. International aspirations that have already received a post-graduation work permit are not eligible for a new one.
2. Students with English or French as a second language. English should be the first language for aspirants seeking a work permit in Canada.
3. General courses, personality, or self-improvement programs are not eligible under PGWP. Students with a recognised degree or certificate will be eligible.
4. Students who participated in programs funded by the government of Canada through Global Government Affairs Canada.
5. Aspirants with scholarships are not eligible for PGWP.
6. Students participating in the Canada-China scholar exchange program.
7. International students who have taken a distance learning course for the most part of their tenure.
8. Students at a non-Canadian university in Canada are not eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
REQUIREMENTS FOR POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT CANADA
International students need to fulfil the following criteria to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada-
- An applicant must have completed their studies in an academic, vocational or professional training program that lasted at least 8 months at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI) List.
- The applicant’s study program must lead to a degree, diploma or certificate.
- The applicant must have held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the course of study completed and included in their post-graduation work permit application.
- The applicant should have received an official letter and a transcript from the eligible DLI confirming that they had met the requirements to complete their program of study. This official letter and transcript must be included in a post-graduation work permit application.
The applicant must have graduated from:
- A public post-secondary institution, such as a college, trade or technical school, or university.
- CEGEP (in Quebec)
- A private post-secondary school in Quebec that operates under the same rules as public schools of the province.
- A private secondary or post-secondary school in Quebec offering a qualifying program of 900 hours or longer that results in the issuance of a ‘diplôme d’études professionnelles’ (DEP) or an ‘attestation de spécialisation professionnelle’ (ASP).
- A Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law – such as Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate – but only if the student was enrolled in an educational program or programs leading to a degree as authorised by the province.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR PASSPORT EXPIRES BEFORE YOUR PGWP?
The following two scenarios are possible if your passport expires before your PGWP:
1. The government will offer a PGWP only for the period until the validation of the passport. The PGWP is valid for only the remaining tenure of passport validity.
2. The students need to extend their passports if they want a fully valid work permit. When the passport is renewed and extended, the PGWP will be valid in full.
SPECIAL CASES TO ATTAIN A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT
1. Accelerated programs: Non-Canadian students can apply for a post-graduation work permit when they complete a program in less time than the normal program duration. They will get the PGWP for the entire program duration. For example, if a student completes a 1-year program in 8 months, they may qualify for the PGWP for 1 year.
2. Distance learning: If students take up distance learning for 50% of the course, they can earn a post-graduation work permit. The PGWP will include both distance learning and a full-time course duration. So, if students complete 1 year of distance learning and 1 year of full-time study, they will receive a PGWP for 2 years in total.
3. Transfers between educational institutions: If you have been transferred between schools, the following two situations need to be taken care of:
a) If students have been transferred between designated learning institutes and taken at least 8 months of a full-time course, they can apply for a post-graduation work permit.
b) When students transfer from a non-designated learning institute to a designated learning institute, only the tenure of the DLI course or specialisation will be counted. The students will receive PGWP based on their tenure at DLI and not at a non-DLI institution.
4. Overseas components: When students studying at Canadian universities have an overseas component, they will receive PGWP only when they earn credit from Canadian universities.
5. Flight school: A flight school candidate should complete a flight training course at a DLI training centre and have a Canadian pilot’s license.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
International students can obtain a post-graduation work permit with a few documents. They are:
1. A formal letter from the educational institution stating the tenure of the course or program, program code, and type.
2. A degree certificate that proves the successful completion of a program.
3. An official transcript from a private institution. Meeting the eligibility criteria for a post-graduation work permit in Canada may seem a little difficult, but it can be simplified if you stay updated with the process from the start of your course. There are various conditions, criteria, and exceptional cases that every international student must be aware of. For assistance with the eligibility criteria, students can also contact a counsellor at Spike Immigration.
FAQS:
WHAT IS A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT IN CANADA?
The Post-graduation Work Permit is an open work permit that allows international students who have completed their graduation to work for any Canadian employer without requiring a job offer. As part of the country’s efforts to attract and retain international students, Canada offers the PGWP to international graduates. The PGWP is valid for up to 3 years. A person’s actual PGWP length is based on the length of their educational program in Canada. A PGWP’s foremost benefit is that it enables international graduates to gain professional work experience in Canada, making it easier for them to apply for Canadian immigration in the future. Canada has over 100 different immigration programs that prefer international candidates who have studied and/or worked in Canada. To be eligible to apply for a Canadian permanent residence program, a PGWP holder must gain one year of professional work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of 0, A, or B.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT IN CANADA?
After your institute has published your final marks, you have 180 days to apply for a PGWP in Canada. You should get all your documents ready before you apply, such as your degree or diploma, an official letter from your institute, an official transcript, or a copy of your transcript from your institute’s website, etc. In most cases, the PGWP application can be done online, but depending on your location at the time, you might be required to apply on paper.
CAN I EXTEND MY PGWP IN CANADA?
The Post-graduation Work Permit is a one-time opportunity for international graduates, and no extensions are available. Usually, a PGWP lasts as long as the holder’s study program. For instance, if someone did a one-year credential, they get a PGWP for one year. The maximum validity of a PGWP is three years.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A PGWP?
Once you have applied for a PGWP in Canada, it will be processed in 80 to 180 days. During this waiting period, you will be allowed to work in Canada, but only if you had applied for the PGWP before your student permit expired.
DOES PGWP GET REJECTED?
Yes, a PGWP application can be rejected for many reasons, such as unauthorised work, lack of an educational transcript, study gaps, expired study permit, studying at non-eligible PGWP schools, etc.
CAN I BRING MY FAMILY TO CANADA ON A WORK PERMIT?
If you are a post-graduation work permit holder, your spouse and/or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit under the C41 exemption for spouses and common-law partners of skilled workers.
HOW CAN PGWP HELP TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA?
A post-graduation work permit is a wonderful way to gain working experience in Canada. It adds extra credits to your CV and earns you additional points while applying for permanent residence. If your goal is to settle in Canada, a PGWP can help you move closer to realising your dream and getting a good job. Certain immigration programs have options for candidates with Canadian work experience, such as the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Quebec Immigration Options.
HOW MUCH IS THE VALIDITY OF PGWP?
The validity period of a post-graduation work can be for any length of time between 8 months and 3 years. It must be noted that a PGWP will not be issued for a period longer than the applicant’s course duration, which is a maximum of 3 years. Provided that more than 50% of the program of study is conducted via in-person classes, the applicant is eligible for a PGWP equal to the duration of the same. If an applicant has studied part-time or did accelerated studies, the length of their PGWP will be the length of their program if taken full-time.
