This is the ultimate post-graduate work permit guide you should review if you are an international student in Canada.
The post-graduate work permit is granted to international students who have completed a program of study in Canada. This permit allows them to work anywhere in the country.
This post-graduation work permit is valid for up to three years. It’s an excellent way for international students to gain valuable work experience in Canada. Once they have acquired the necessary skills and experience, they can apply for permanent residence.
What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
The post-graduate work permit is issued to international students who have completed their studies in Canada. They are open work permits, meaning they can work for any employer in the country. Before applying for a post-graduation program, ensure that the institution where you studied is eligible for the post-graduation work permit.
Who is eligible for a PGWP?
To apply for a post-graduate work permit, you need to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit; an individual must be 18 years old and have completed at least eight months of study in Canada. They must also be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) approved to provide study programs. To apply for a post-graduate work permit, an individual must also complete their study program within 180 days following graduation.
How much time does it take to get a Post-graduation work permit?
The post-graduate work permit processing time can range from 80 to 180 days. While waiting for your permit, you can still work in Canada, provided that you applied before your student permit expiration date.
Before, international students who left Canada after completing their studies were required to submit their applications exclusively from within the country. This has changed as international students can now submit their post-graduate work permit applications from outside Canada.
If you want to learn more about how long a post-graduate work permit is valid, we highly recommend you to visit official Canada’s immigration website.
Am I able to work after graduation before I apply for my post-graduation work permit?
International students who have already applied for a post-graduate work permit before their study permit expires can still work in Canada. These individuals do not need to carry a Canadian work permit to start working immediately.
How many times am I able to apply for a Post-graduation work permit?
You must only apply for a post-graduate work permit once.
How can a post-graduation work permit help you immigrate to Canada?
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program was created to help international students in Canada obtain permanent residence. It allows them to work in the country. By bridging the gap between their studies and work experience, international students can easily apply for the Canadian Express Entry immigration system.
Having a Canadian educational background and work experience helps Express Entry applicants gain valuable points towards their overall ranking system score.
Can I apply for permanent residence after my Canadian work experience?
You might consider applying for permanent residence if you’re already in Canada and have Canadian work experience. The various immigration programs in the country have options for people with work experience.
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Immigration Options
Would you like to read more about the immigration programs listed before? The next blog article will cover that and give tips for applying successfully. Stay tuned.
Author: Maritza Lopez is based in Toronto, Canada and is currently studying a postgraduate program in Marketing Management and Digital Media at Lambton College.
References:
Immigration, R. A. C. C. (s. f.). Work in Canada after you graduate: How to apply – Canada.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved on May 19th, 2022, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/apply.html
