International students who complete their post-secondary education in Canada may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open work permit allows them to work in Canada without restrictions, meaning no Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or job offer is required to apply.

Upon completing an eligible program of study at a qualifying institution, international graduates can apply for the PGWP. 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, applicants must:

• Educational Institution Requirements

1. 1. • Have studied full-time for at least eight months before completing their program.
      • Graduate from one of the following types of institutions:
        • A public post-secondary institution (university, college, or CEGEP).
        • A private post-secondary institution operating under the same rules as public institutions and receiving at least 50% of its funding from government grants.
        • A private Canadian institution authorized by provincial or territorial law to confer degrees.

• Program Completion

1. 1. • Complete and pass their program of study.
      • Receive written confirmation (e.g., transcript or official letter) that they are eligible to receive their degree, diploma, or certificate.

• Application Timing and Status

1. • Apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion.
   • Hold a valid study permit at the time of application or have held one previously within the last 180 days.
   • Maintain valid immigration status. If status has expired, applicants must restore it before applying for the PGWP.

Additional Information

• Program Duration:
  • For programs lasting two years or more, graduates may be eligible for a PGWP valid for three years.
  • For programs shorter than two years but longer than eight months, the PGWP will match the program’s duration.
  • If a student completes a one-year degree or diploma after previously completing another accredited Canadian degree or diploma within two years, they may qualify for a three-year PGWP.
• Final Semester Exception:
  • Applicants are generally required to have studied full-time in the eight months before applying. However, students who were part-time in their final semester but full-time for the rest of their program may still qualify for the PGWP.

Important Notes

• If a PGWP application is refused, the applicant must restore their status within 90 days and stop working immediately.
• If the 90-day restoration period has expired, there may still be options to address the situation through legal remedies. Applicants in such cases are encouraged to contact immigration professionals for guidance.

The PGWP provides international graduates with a valuable opportunity to gain Canadian work experience, which may help them qualify for permanent residency programs in the future.