Graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions are eligible for a one-time post-graduation work permit after completing their studies. These open work permits grant work authorization to international students, allowing them to gain valuable Canadian work experience that may be used as part of a later application for Permanent Residency.

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.

After you complete your graduation or program, if you want to work in Canada, you require a work permit. This Work permit is normally an open work permit and is equal to the period of your course duration. Also you must have studied at least for 8 month but less than 2 years in the designated Institute. For example if you have studied for say 16 months (which is more than 8 months) then you will be eligible for an open work permit for 16 months and if you did your study for 24 months or more then you are eligible for an Open Work Permit of 3 years.

To be eligible the international students must:

• have a valid study permit when applying for the work permit
• Complete a study program of not less than eight months

Must graduate from a designated institute:

• A public post-secondary educational institution (university, college, or CEGEP-Québec)
• A private post-secondary educational institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and receives at least 50 per cent of its financing for operations from government grants
• A Canadian private educational institution authorized by provincial or territorial statute to confer degrees
• Apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation from their academic institution that they have met the requirements of their program.
• Have completed and passed the program of study and received written notification that they are eligible to obtain their degree, diploma, or certificate

• If your study program, in which you are enrolled as full time, is for eight months but is finished in six months or so under any accelerated program, you may still apply for a Post-Graduate work permit.
• Transfers between the schools are allowed but if you transfer from the non-designated learning institution to the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) then only the time spent in DLI will be considered as eligible for the PG work permit.
• If you complete your 1-year degree or diploma from a DLI within two years of your last 1-year degree or diploma from another DLI, you will be eligible for a three year PG work permit as both degrees or diplomas will be eligible as two years of study.
• If you had to study part time in the final academic session as you need less number of courses in the final session to complete your diploma or degree but you meet all other requirements you still are eligible as this period of study will also be taken as full time study.

Contact us and receive more details if you qualify to apply for PGWP in Canada.