Canadian educational institutions provide exceptional academic opportunities for international students, and Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) facilitates post-study employment through comprehensive work authorization programs. Upon successful completion of studies at eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLI), graduates gain access to employment opportunities through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program, enabling them to pursue careers across Canada.
The PGWP serves as a valuable pathway for international graduates to acquire Canadian work experience and subsequently apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class stream within Express Entry. This program operates under subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugees Protection Regulations, providing legal framework for international graduate employment. A critical consideration is that graduates may obtain a post-graduation work permit only once throughout their lifetime.
Applicants seeking post-graduation work permits must satisfy three fundamental requirements. Initially, candidates must have successfully completed an academic, vocational, or professional training program at a designated learning institution in Canada, culminating in the award of a degree, diploma, or certificate. The study program must satisfy specific criteria: instruction must be delivered primarily in English or French, the program cannot comprise general interest or self-improvement courses, and it must not be offered by a private career college. Program duration requirements stipulate a minimum of 8 months and maximum of 3 years.
Prior to submitting work permit applications, graduates must demonstrate maintenance of full-time student status throughout every academic session of their educational program. Our immigration legal team can assist in verifying compliance with these requirements. Two exceptions exist for this full-time status requirement.
The first exception encompasses approved study leave situations, which undergo assessment for study permit condition compliance. During authorized leave periods, applicants must remain enrolled and actively pursuing coursework. IRCC guidelines specify that any leave from Canadian studies should not exceed 150 days from commencement and requires DLI authorization. Acceptable leave reasons include medical circumstances, family emergencies, and other documented situations.
The second exception permits PGWP eligibility when applicants transition from full-time to part-time status during their final academic year. Supporting documentation including transcripts and official DLI letters verifying program completion eligibility must accompany the work permit application.
Following receipt of necessary documentation, applicants must initiate PGWP applications within 180 days of obtaining written program completion confirmation from their designated learning institution. This confirmation may take the form of an official letter or transcript. The application window commences from either the final marks issuance date or the formal written completion confirmation receipt, whichever occurs first.
International students who previously received post-graduation work permits cannot reapply under the PGWP. Additional ineligible applicant categories include: students who received Global Affairs Canada funding (excluding Study in Canada Scholarship holders), Government of Canada Awards Program participants funded by GAC, and certain other restricted categories as specified by IRCC regulations.
Applicants must verify program completion at IRCC-recognized designated learning institutions. The DLI list encompasses various educational institution types including public post-secondary institutions such as colleges, trade or technical schools, and universities. Canadian private institutions authorized to confer degrees (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) also qualify as designated learning institutions.
Flight school graduates follow specialized procedures with two available pathways. The first option requires evidence of flight training course completion at a DLI training centre along with acquisition of a Canadian commercial pilot’s license. The second option involves demonstrating possession of or progress toward an instructor’s rating combined with a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre.
Applicants who submit PGWP applications before study permit expiration may work full-time without a work permit while awaiting decisions. Eligibility requires: possession of valid study permit during application, program completion, compliance with off-campus work conditions, and adherence to permitted work hours under paragraph R186(w). Understanding various Canadian work permit options can help graduates plan their immigration journey.
IRCC issues authorization letters permitting work during application processing, valid for 120 days—the standard decision timeframe. Should decisions extend beyond this period, applicants may request continued work authorization proof.
Spouses and common-law partners of PGWP holders may apply for open work permits under the C41 exemption for spouses and common-law partners of skilled workers, facilitating family settlement in Canada.
For graduates seeking Canadian employment authorization post-graduation, PGWPs represent exceptional opportunities to obtain work permits and establish career foundations in Canada.
