Skilled Canadian work experience gained through the PGWP program helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry.
- A work permit under the PGWP program may be issued for the length of the study program or up to a maximum of three years if you have studied at least 2 years for full time in Canada.
- A post-graduation work permit cannot be issued for a study program which is less than eight months in length.
- For example;
- If you graduate from a four-year degree program, 3 year advance diploma program or a 2 year diploma program, you could be eligible for a three-year work permit upon meeting other criteria.
- If you graduate from a 1 year post graduate certificate or diploma program, you would be eligible for a work permit of 1 year
- If you graduate from a nine-month certificate program, you will get a work permit for no more than nine months.
To obtain a work permit after your graduation, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application
- You must have continuouslystudied full time in Canada and you must have completed a program of study that lasted at least eight months.
- In addition, you must have graduated from:
- a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec), or
- a private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, or
- a private secondary or post-secondary institution (in Quebec) offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diplôme d’études professionnelles(DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP), or
- a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees but only if you are enrolled in one of the programs of study leading to a degree as authorized by the province and not in all programs of study offered by the private institution.
- You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation (for example, a transcript or an official letter) from your institution indicating that you have met the requirements for completing your academic program.
- You must have completed and passed the program of study and received a notification that you are eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate.
- You must have a valid study permit when you apply for the work permit.