You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if you graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and want to stay in Canada temporarily to work.
Graduation from a DLI doesn’t automatically make you eligible for a PGWP. Check the DLI list to find out which schools have eligible programs.
You have 180 days after you get your final marks to apply for a PGWP.
Don’t let your status expire while you wait for your marks
If your study permit will expire before you get your marks, you have 2 options. You can
- apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer, or
- leave Canada and apply for your PGWP
If you stay in Canada and let your permit expire, you must apply to restore your status as a student to apply for your PGWP. To restore your status, you must pay additional fees.
How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?
How long your PGWP is valid for depends on the length of your study program.
If your program was less than 8 months
You aren’t eligible for a PGWP.
If your program was more than 8 months but less than 2 years
We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program.
For example, if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.
If your program was 2 years or more
We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.
If you completed more than 1 program
You may be able to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.
Each of the programs you completed must be
- PGWP-eligible and
- at least 8 months in length
You can’t get a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.
