After graduation, under certain conditions, international students in Canada are allowed to apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). The permit holders are free to decide which employer they want to work for, the working hours, and they can work anywhere in Canada. With enough Canadian working experience, PGWP holders will be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residency Programs
PGWP is the open work permit designed by the Government of Canada for students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designed learning institutions (DLIs). The work experience gained in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B helps graduates qualify for the Permanent Residency Programs through Canadian experience class within Express Entry:
Important note: after you graduate, you only have up to 180 days to apply for PGWP. Before you apply, these are a few criteria you must confirm:
To confirm the criteria above, you can submit these documents:
Thus, your study permit status must not be expired at some point during these 180 days. If your study permit expires before getting the final marks, you will have two options:
– Your status in Canada must be the following:
You must have:
– Completed a study program:
– Maintained a full-time status as a student
– Graduated from:
First off, you need to get these documents ready to prove that you have already completed your study:
5 Steps when applying PGWP inside Canada
Step 1: Prepare what you need
– Electronic copies of your documents
– Valid credit or debit card to pay the fees
Step 2: Go through the instruction guide carefully (Guide 5580- Applying for a Work Permit – Student Guide – online application)
Step 3: Prepare the answers for the online tool: before uploading the forms, you must answer the questions that the Government of Canada created on their website. Based on your answers, you will get the personalized document checklist
Step 4: Understand the fees you need to pay: at the end of the application, you will be asked to pay the application fees. Please make sure to pay for both the work permit holder and the work permit fees. The current fee in 2022 is $ 255 CAD
Step 5: In order to apply online, you will need to create an online account. With your account, you can pay your fees, submit the application and check your status
The length of the PGWP depends on the length of your program. The PGWP can be valid from 8 months to 3 years
In 2022, the average processing time for PGWP is around 143 days for online applications and 151 days for paper applications.
After submitting the work permit application and waiting for the final decision, you will qualify for working full-time if:
If you do not satisfy these requirements, you must wait until your work permit arrives to work in Canada. Moreover, if your application gets refused, you must stop working on the day you are notified.
Step 1: Get your Study Permit: apply for a program in a designated learning institution (DLI)
Step 2: Complete your program – you can work up to 20 hours while studying
Step 3: Apply for PGWP to work in Canada for up to 3 years
Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residency through Express Entry which includes 3 programs:
Canada Visa News: 450,000 Study Permits issued in 2021 – Learn more here
In this case, you will have 2 options:
Yes, but only if:
No, PGWP is an open work permit. Therefore, you are free to decide which employer they want to work for, the working hours, and they can work anywhere in Canada.
Yes, you can leave the country and return only when your visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is still valid. Please keep in mind that your study/work permit is not a visa that can allow you to travel back to Canada
Yes, but only when you:
You will need to show your employer:
About Canada Admission Hub
Admission Hub is one of the largest International Student Immigration Firm based in Toronto & Vancouver. Currently, it operates in the following markets: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Europe, Vietnam, and India.
Our parent company CVH Immigration Ltd. Admission Hub is helping and supporting International Students around the world to Study, Work, and Immigrate to Canada. We are proud to partner with over +150 Canadian Institutions.
If you want help with your Study Visa application, the first step is to BOOK A CONSULTATION with Admission Hub’s Consultant, share your background and our consultant will reach out to provide you with as much assistance as possible.
We understand the challenges and needs of international students, and we can communicate with you in your preferred language. We can guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the right college, applying for admission, obtaining a study permit, extending or changing your visa status, to settling in Canada.
Admission Hub is the no.1 college admissions and student visa expert that can help you change your visitor visa to study permit inside Canada
Admission Hub™ is a Canadian based College Admission Hub in Canada that has successfully helped over 5,000 international students obtain College Offers and Study Permit Service via CVH immigration Ltd ; with CICC Licensed Immigration Consultant who specialize in Study Permit/ Work Permit.
Admission Hub™ has Global Support Divisions in India & South Asia, Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan & Hong Kong, Europe & Russia (CIS), Africa & the Middle East.
