Post-graduation work permit (PGWP): working after your studies
Graduates of eligible Canadian programs who want an open work permit after completing their studies.
Steps, in order
- Confirm your school and program are PGWP-eligible before you rely on this route.
- Keep full-time status during each semester except the final one, which may be part-time.
- After your school issues your final marks, apply within 180 days, while your study permit was valid at some point in that window.
- Submit proof of program completion, full-time enrolment, and language ability or field-of-study evidence where the current rules require it.
Who is eligible — the essentials
- The program must be at a PGWP-eligible DLI, at least eight months long (900 hours for Quebec programs), and lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Full-time status is required in each semester except the final semester.
- The application window is 180 days after final marks are issued, and the study permit must have been valid at some point during that window.
Documents you will usually need
- Official letter confirming program completion, or official transcript
- Proof of full-time enrolment (transcript from the DLI)
- Proof of language ability where required for applications under the current rules
- Proof of eligible field of study where required
- Upfront medical exam proof where applicable
Common mistakes
- Missing the 180-day window, or letting the study permit lapse without restoring status in time.
- Studying part-time mid-program without an authorized reason.
- Assuming every DLI program qualifies — eligibility is program-specific, not school-wide.
What changed in November 2024 — check this first
Since 1 November 2024, PGWP applications need proof of language ability: CLB 7 in all four skills for university degree graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates. Graduates of non-degree programs who applied for a study permit on or after 1 November 2024 also need an eligible field of study; university bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are exempt from the field rule. Confirm the current eligibility rules on the official PGWP pages linked above before relying on this summary.
Official source
General information only — not legal advice. Immigration rules change. Always check the official source above before applying.