A foreigner who has duly completed post-secondary education (or a certain degree program) as an international student in Canada may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PWGP) in Canada. The issued Post-Graduate work permit grants recent international students to live and work in Canada after completing their degree programs.
A Canadian post-graduation work permit is an open work permit that grants foreign nationals the legal right to work for several Canadian employers in different locations.
The Post-Graduation work permit does not require a positive Labour Marker Impact Assessment (LMIA) unlike the majority of Canadian work permits. International graduates from Canadian institutions gain valuable work experience through the PGWP, and with enough Canadian work experience, foreign nationals may be eligible for Canada’s permanent residency through the following pathways:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Immigration Programs
Post-Graduate Work Permit Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit. a foreign national must have continually studied full-time in a designated Canadian institution for a minimum period of 8 months and must be at least 18 years old or older.
The eligibility window for the Post-Graduation work permit is 180 days upon the completion of the study program.
Having a valid study permit is a major criterion for applicants applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If a Canadian study permit has expired or will expire, they may apply for a visitor’s status before applying for the PGWP. However, foreign nationals who apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit prior to the expiration of their study permit are eligible to work full-time in Canada, while their application is being processed. Applicants may also apply from overseas.
Eligible Levels of Study For The Post-Graduation Work Permit
To be eligible for the PGWP, foreign national must have completed a degree at a designated learning institution in one of the following programs:
- public post-secondary school, such as a college, university, trade/technical school or CEGEP in Quebec
- a private post-secondary school that function under the same rules as public educational institutions (Only applicable to certain academic institutions in Quebec)
- a private secondary or post-secondary school in Quebec that offers qualifying programs up to 900 hours or longer which could lead to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP)
- private education institutions that is accredited to award degrees under provincial law, only for those enrolled in study programs that would lead to a degree as authorized by the Canadian province.
Benefits Of Studying In Canada
Canada is renowned for its high quality and research-based educational model. Canada is a safe, and welcoming nation with a rich history of diversity, which is a major lure for international students from around the world.
The high rate of employability upon graduation in Canada is another factor many international students consider Canada as a first choice.
There are several compelling reasons why Canada is the perfect destination for your studies, and foreign nationals who wish to improve on their skills for employment or open the door for future Canadian migration options should consider Canada as their study destination.
