Answering 11 FAQs about Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit

In light of proposed changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program announced last month, many current and prospective international students may be looking for more information.

For example, as outlined by notes from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2024, these changes would work to better align the “issuance of PGWPs [with Canada’s] labour market needs.”

This would result in fewer permits being issued to graduates from some post-secondary programs while “students entering occupations in shortage” would have better access to PGWPs.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

To help international students better understand the PGWP, CIC News has compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

What is a PGWP?

A PGWP is an open work permit for international students who complete an eligible study program at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This type of work permit is popular among those who come to Canada for an education because the work experience gained through this permit can assist in the foreign national’s eligibility for several Canadian permanent residence pathways.

Am I eligible for a PGWP?

International students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a PGWP. The student must have:

Completed a post-secondary program (either academic, vocational or professional training) of at least eight months in length from an eligible DLI in Canada
The program must have resulted in a degree, diploma or certificate
Graduated from an eligible type of educational institution
Held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of their program(s) of study used as part of their PGWP application
Received the following from their DLI
- A transcript
- An official letter confirming that they met the requirements needed to complete their program of study

Visit this dedicated webpage for further details about PGWP eligibility and qualification.

How much does a PGWP cost?

The cost to apply for a PGWP is CAD $255.00.

Applicants who must restore their status as a student before applying for a PGWP will be required to pay an additional CAD $379.00.

How long is a PGWP valid?

A PGWP’s validity depends on the type of study program the student pursued as well as the length of their program. This breaks down as follows:

All study programs (except Master's degree programs)

Program of less than eight months in length: Ineligible for a PGWP
Program of eight months or more: The validity period of a PGWP will match the length of the completed study program (nine-month permit for a student who completed a nine-month program)
Program of two years or more: A PGWP valid for three years may be given

Students who completed more than one program that meets PGWP eligibility (at least eight months in length etc.) may receive a PGWP that is valid for the combined length of their completed programs.

Master’s degree programs

Note: The following only applies to Master’s degree programs, not certificate or diploma programs

Program of less than eight months in length: Ineligible for a PGWP
Program of eight months or more: Students can apply for a three-year PGWP even if their program was less than two years

Can I apply for a job before I get my PGWP?

PGWP applicants can apply for a job before they receive their permit if they meet the following three criteria:

The student was enrolled full-time at a DLI in an eligible program
The student has already completed their program of study
The student has abided by (not exceeded) their permitted number of work hours (on-campus and off-campus)

Note: Students who have their PGWP application refused must stop working immediately

Can I travel outside Canada while waiting for my PGWP?

PGWP applicants may travel to and from Canada freely if they have a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Note: A study permit does not count as a visa and does not itself permit re-entry to Canada

Upon returning to Canada, IRCC notes that:

PGWP applicants may return to Canada as a student if their study permit is still valid
Applicants can enter as workers if their PGWP was approved while outside of Canada
Applicants who are still having their PGWP processed can return as visitors
- Those returning as visitors are permitted to work without a work permit while their application is being processed

I am working in Canada on a PGWP. Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

PGWP applicants will need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if one is necessary to meet program requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) or if their occupation is not LMIA-exempt.

Visit this IRCC help centre webpage for more details.

There’s a specific occupation on my PGWP. Can I work in a different field?

According to IRCC, this will depend on which section of the PGWP lists the holder’s occupation information.

If listed under Additional Information: The permit holder is not restricted in the field they can work in. Additionally, the permit holder will not be required to apply for a change to their work permit.

If listed under Conditions or Remarks/Observations: The permit holder is required to work in the field listed on their permit. Otherwise, to work in a different occupation, the permit holder must apply to change the conditions on their PGWP.

This process would involve applying for a new work permit from within Canada.

There’s a specific employment location on my PGWP. Can I work somewhere else?

Similar to the above, this will depend on which section of the PGWP lists the permit holder’s employment location information.

If listed under Additional Information: The permit holder is not restricted with respect to where in Canada they can work. Additionally, the permit holder, in this case, is not required to apply for a change to their work permit.

If listed under Conditions or Remarks/Observations: The permit holder is required to work in the specified employment location listed on their PGWP. PGWP holders who want to work in a different location must apply to change the conditions on their PGWP.

Again, this process would involve applying for a new work permit from within Canada.

Can I switch employers while working under a PGWP to get experience to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class?

The PGWP is an open work permit. This means PGWP holders are free to switch employers so long as they abide by the restrictions outlined on their permit.

Permit holders must remain aware, however, that only skilled work experience qualifies applicants for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Skilled work experience is work in any occupation listed under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.