Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) may be issued for a maximum of 3 years. Review the information about post-graduation work permit (PGWP) validity and application for detailed information on how IRCC assesses PGWP length.
Consult with an International Student Specialist in the following situations:
- If you did not continuously study full-time in your program, even when you started your semester as a full-time student and later withdrew to a part-time status mid-semester or closer to the end of the semester.
- If you are considering taking a break from studies or enrolling as a part-time student during a regular academic term in your program.
If one of the following applies to you:
- Your spouse or partner is applying for an Open Work Permit (OWP) or an OWP extension in the same application along with your PGWP
- Your spouse or partner is applying for an OWP extension based on your valid PGWP
You MUST include the following documents in the application:
- Documents to prove that the PGWP applicant or holder has a job offer or is currently working (job contract, employment letter, two recent pay slips)
- Marriage certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form (IMM5409)
Watch How to apply for PGWP
How to Apply for your PGWP Step-by-Step?
A Study Permit becomes invalid in one of the following ways (whichever comes first):
- The expiry date listed on the permit, OR
- 90 days after the program completion date
Students who are inside Canada should ensure that their temporary resident status in Canada doesn’t expire before they submit their PGWP application to IRCC. Students whose study permit will become invalid or expire while they wait for their Program Completion Letter and Official Transcripts to be issued (required for the PGWP application) can choose one of the options listed below:
- Apply for a Study Permit extension to request an additional 90-day period after their final term of study (we recommend that you apply to extend your Study Permit at least 4 - 5 months prior to the expiry date)
- Apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada (while you wait for your final marks and/or program completion letter to be issued)
- Leave Canada and apply for PGWP from outside
Note: If your study permit is going to expire before the end of your final term, you must proceed with Option 1 above (i.e. apply to extend your study permit before the expiry date listed on your permit).
If you are inside Canada and your Study Permit permit expires, you must apply to restore your status as a student to apply for your PGWP (additional fees must be paid). Please consult with an International Student Specialist if you find yourself in this situation.
You are also eligible to apply for the PGWP outside Canada whether or not your study permit is valid;
- As long as you submit your PGWP application within 180 days of receiving formal notification of program completion.
- Your study permit was valid at some point in the 180 days preceding your application submission.
The application must contain proof that you completed your program of study in the form of an official transcript and a letter from the University confirming your program completion.
To apply for your PGWP online, follow these steps:
Use these steps if you have recently completed your degree program and want to apply for a work permit.
- Select: “Continue to GC Key” or “Continue to Sign-In Partner” (if you already have an account)
- If you don’t have an account, select Register and then choose either GC Key or Sign in Partner option
- Select: “Sign Up” (for GC Key only); follow the instructions. If you sign up for a GC Key, save the Username, Password, Account Recovery Questions, and Security Questions as you will require these later on to access your account.
- Select: “I accept” after reading the terms and conditions.
At the bottom of the page under “Start an Application”; click “Apply to Come to Canada”
If you did not answer the assessment questions previously, you do not have a Personal Reference Code, scroll down.
Scroll down and click on “Apply for Visitor Visa, Study and/or Work Permit” and answer all assessment questions.
- Select “Work” to answer “What would you like to do in Canada?”
- If you are asked “Have you lived in a designated country or territory for more than six months in the last year?” select “NO” if you have not been outside Canada for 6 months in the past year
- When you are asked “Are you giving someone access to your application?” Select “No” as you will be applying on your own
- You will also be asked “In the past 10 years, have you given your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for an application to come to Canada?”, if you have never provided your biometrics for an IRCC application in the past 10 years, select “No”
- UCI number: “Unique client Identifier”, also known as “Client ID”. It is an 8- 10 digit number that appears on the top left of your Study Permit.
- Check “A work permit with a new employer”
- Document Number: This number is usually printed in bold black ink at the top of your study permit starting with an “F” followed by 9 numbers.
- Details of intended work in Canada: Choose “post-graduation work permit” on question 1 a), and leave everything else blank.
- Employment section: Under “Current Activity/occupation”, type “recent graduate” from the date you got your official completion letter. Under “company/employer/facility name” type “University of Alberta”
- Background Information:
2(c): Have you previously applied to enter or remain in Canada? Click YES, as you have entered Canada on your Study Permit. Include the dates for each document you applied for in the past in the available box (e.g., first study permit: Aug. 2021, extended study permit Dec. 2023). - Signature box: You can type your name in the box or leave it blank. Do not print out and sign by hand!
- Letter of Completion (or other documentation to prove completion of degree)
- Undergraduate students request the letter from your faculty once all their final grades are posted on Bear tracks
- Graduate students request the letter through the Student Service Catalog.
- Official Transcript (request it when you request the completion letter). If you have any gaps in your studies and/or have one or more terms where you were registered part-time, speak to an international student advisor. A letter of explanation will need to be added to your application.
- Passport-style Digital Photo
- Copy of Passport (the page that shows your birth date and country of origin and all pages that contain a stamp or Visa)
- Letter of Explanation if needed (uploaded in Client Information): To explain to the IRCC what you are requesting or to provide additional information/details you want to be considered in your application
- Pay the application processing fee $255 online with a credit or debit card
- If you have never provided biometrics to IRCC in the past 10 years, you will be required to pay an additional $85 as a biometrics fee.
Work in Canada after you graduate
Working While Waiting for the PGWP to be Processed
Once you submit your PGWP application to IRCC, you can immediately start working full-time while the application is under process - as long as you meet the following requirements:
- Your study permit is valid at the time you submit your PGWP application.
- You apply within 90 days of the issued date of the completion letter.
- Your study permit authorizes you to work off-campus (your study permit must have a condition listed on it that authorizes you to work off-campus).
- You did not work more than the allowable hours of work (20 hours per week off campus during regular academic terms) except for the time during which the temporary policy was in effect
If you submit your PGWP application on the same day your Program Completion Letter becomes available, you may continue to work without any gaps in your employment.
If you are unable to submit your PGWP application on the same day your Completion Letter becomes available, you must not engage in any employment activity until you submit your PGWP application and if you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, you may start full-time work after you submit your PGWP application to IRCC.
DisclaimerThese steps contain general information considered to be accurate at the time of publication. If you have any questions about your situation please discuss this in person with the International Student Advisor. For the most up-to-date immigration information, please visit Canada.ca website.