- info@dhandaimmigration.ca
- Working Hours: Mon to Fri : 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Completing your studies at a Canadian designated learning institution marks an important stage in your journey as an international student. Once your program is finished, you may want to remain in Canada, enter the workforce, and build Canadian work experience.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can allow eligible graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies. However, eligibility depends on several factors, including your school, program, language results, study history, and when your study permit application was submitted.
At Dhanda Immigration Consultancy in Surrey, we assist international graduates with the PGWP application process, from reviewing eligibility to preparing documents and submitting the application.
For eligible graduates, a PGWP can provide an opportunity to work in Canada after completing a qualifying program. Depending on the circumstances, Canadian work experience may also be relevant to future immigration pathways, including certain permanent residence programs.
The permit can be valid for between 8 months and up to 3 years, depending on factors such as the length and type of the study program.
Because PGWP rules have changed recently, graduates should check the requirements that apply to their situation rather than relying on older information.
Applying for a PGWP involves more than completing an online form. Our Surrey office can assist with several parts of the process.
We review details such as your designated learning institution, program length, study history, and study permit information to determine which PGWP requirements may apply to you.
Current rules also include language requirements for many applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024. Some graduates may also need to meet a field-of-study requirement depending on their program and the date of their study permit application.
We help you organize documents needed for the application, which may include proof of program completion, transcripts, passport information, proof of language ability, and other documents required for your situation.
Most PGWP applicants must apply within 180 days of completing their program. The date your school confirms completion can affect your timeline, so keeping track of the relevant dates is important.
We prepare the application based on the information and documents provided, review the details, and submit it through the appropriate process.
After submission, we can help you respond to requests for additional documents or information and explain what the next steps may involve.
The PGWP is intended for graduates who meet IRCC’s eligibility requirements. Common situations include:
If you have completed an eligible program at a qualifying designated learning institution, you may be able to apply for a PGWP, provided you meet the other requirements. The program generally needs to have been at least 8 months long, subject to applicable rules and exceptions.
A PGWP can allow an eligible graduate to work after completing their studies. The permit is generally not tied to one employer, giving eligible permit holders flexibility in seeking employment in Canada.
Canadian work experience may be relevant when you later assess eligibility for immigration programs such as the Canadian Experience Class or certain Provincial Nominee Programs. However, a PGWP does not itself guarantee permanent residence, and each immigration program has its own requirements.
Changes in program structure, transfers between schools, study interruptions, and other circumstances can affect how the PGWP rules apply. A review of your individual academic history can help identify which requirements need attention.
PGWP rules have changed, and some requirements depend on when you applied for your study permit and the type of program you completed.
For applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, many applicants must provide proof of English or French language ability.
Graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs generally need a minimum CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French across all four language areas.
Graduates from many other universities, colleges, polytechnics, and non-university programs generally need CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language areas.
Depending on when you submitted your study permit application and the type of program you completed, you may need to graduate from an eligible field of study.
Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates do not have a field-of-study requirement under the current rules. Other graduates may need to meet this requirement if their study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024, subject to the applicable rules.
A PGWP may be valid for between 8 months and 3 years. The permit period depends on the applicable rules and the length and type of program completed.
We review your school, program, graduation date, study permit, and current situation.
We examine the PGWP requirements that apply to your circumstances, including language and field-of-study rules where applicable.
We identify the documents needed for your application, such as proof of program completion, transcripts, passport information, and language test results where required.
The application is prepared using the information and documents you provide. We review the details before submission.
The PGWP application is submitted through the applicable IRCC process.
We can help you address additional document requests or other correspondence received from IRCC while the application is being processed.
You may be allowed to work full-time while IRCC processes your PGWP application if, when you submitted the application, you had a valid study permit, had completed your program, were eligible to work off campus during your studies, and had complied with the applicable work-hour rules.
This rule does not apply automatically to every graduate. Your circumstances and application date matter.
A PGWP can be valid for 8 months to 3 years. The duration depends on the applicable IRCC rules, your study program, and other factors.
A passport that expires before the full period you qualify for can also affect the length of the permit issued.
A job offer is not generally required to apply for a PGWP. The PGWP is an open work permit for eligible graduates, subject to the conditions of the permit and applicable IRCC rules.
A study break does not automatically result in the same outcome for every applicant. The circumstances surrounding the break, its length, your school records, and the applicable IRCC rules can all matter.
If your academic history includes a break, transfer, or change in program, reviewing those details before submitting your application can help identify potential issues.
PGWP applications involve several requirements, and immigration rules can change over time. Our Surrey office helps graduates organize their applications around the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances.
Our assistance includes:
We also explain the application stages so you know what documents are required and what may happen after submission.
Graduation can mark the beginning of your Canadian work journey. For eligible graduates, the PGWP may provide an opportunity to work in Canada after completing a qualifying program.
If you are finishing your studies or have recently graduated, reviewing your PGWP eligibility early can help you keep track of the applicable requirements and application timeline.
Dhanda Immigration Consultancy in Surrey can assist you with the PGWP application process from the initial eligibility review through submission and follow-up.
Contact our Surrey office to discuss your PGWP application and the requirements that apply to your situation.
Address: 8356 120 St Unit 303, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4, Canada
Phone: +1 778-680-5717
