Can I Work in Canada Without Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of international students move to Canada from around the globe. If you have decided to study in Canada, rest assured you invest in your future. Canada is the country of more than 6 lakh international students. It is a popular study-abroad destination among Indian students. The Country is known for its world-renowned Universities, global career, and multicultural environment.

Canada is also a wonderful destination for the PGWP program, i.e. Post-Graduation Work Permit. Students like to work abroad after completing their graduation. This helps them get valuable experience in a real-life scenario.

Students often ask many things about PGWP, such as the time to get the permit, working criteria after graduation before they apply for PGWP, time, and so on.

Here, in this post, we have covered some important aspects of this PGWP.

So let’s move on!

What Is A PGWP?

Upon completion of your master's course, if you want to work in Canada, you are required to have a work permit. Also, graduates of certain designated academic institutions are directly eligible for this PGWP. However, those who are not eligible for this PGWP can also work in Canada after their graduation. The best thing is - when you study in Canada and work there for a few years is – it may help you qualify for permanent residency over there.

This PGWP is for international students who did their graduation from any of the Canadian Designated Learning Institutes. It is an open work permit that permits international students to work for any organization in Canada.

Things to Remember

Not all the programs/courses are eligible for PGWP. You should verify the eligibility first prior to choosing a program/course in Canada. The next best thing is – unlike other Canadian work permits, this PGWP doesn’t need an LMIA i.e. Labour Market Impact Assessment. You get valuable work experience after graduating from one of the Canadian Universities with this PGWP scheme. After a few years of work experience in Canada, many international students become eligible for permanent residency programs, including one of the below-mentioned pathways.

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Workers
• Federal Skilled Traders
• Provincial Nomination Programs
• Quebec Immigration Programs

Post Graduate Work Permit: The Quick Facts

A PG work permit is valid for any length of time between 8 months to 3 years.

It can’t be issued longer than your duration of study in any Canadian University.

It can be up to a maximum of 3 years, and will approximately be the same duration of your study.

Candidates are eligible for this PGWP program equal to the time duration of their program/course of study, which is as long as more than 50 percent of their course of study is conducted via in-person modes.

If it is a part-time course or an accelerated program, then the length of the PGWP will be the length of one’s course of study, if it is taken full-time.

Are you eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit?

You must be at least 18 years of age and have studied a full-time PG degree in Canada. The degree program must be 8 months or higher if you want to be eligible for a PGWP.

Your course of study must have been completed at one of the designated learning institutes in Canada. If you want to apply for this work permit, you must apply within 180 days of the completion of your course of study.

You must have a valid status at the time of your application if you are applying from within Canada. Suppose your study permit has expired, or will expire soon, then you have one option only. You can apply as a visitor prior to applying for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.

If you apply for this PGWP before the expiration of your study permit, then you are eligible to work full-time immediately upon completion of your course.

What Times Are Required To Get A PGWP?

The processing time can take anywhere from 80 days to 180 days. You can work anywhere in Canada while waiting for your post-graduate work Permit, but you should apply before the expiry date of your student permit.

Things to Remember

You only have 180 days to apply for your PGWP from the immediate date you have done all your requirements for the course of study.

If you apply for a PGWP anywhere outside of Canada, then additional documents may be asked by the department to process the application.

Can You Apply for a Work Permit If Your PGWP Expires?

You are free to apply for another work permit if your PGWP expires. You can apply for an LMIA or LMIA-exempt work permit both at a time. But it is worth considering the Canadian permanent residence because you already have work experience in Canada.

Here are the major immigration programs for you when you get Canadian work experience.

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Provincial Nominee Programs
• Quebec Immigration Options

If your PGWP is going to expire soon, then you will have two options.

1. Apply for a PGWP extension
2. Apply for one of the different programs mentioned above

Or,

1. Apply for a permanent residency program which is available for students who graduated from a designated learning institute in Canada.

Can You Work After Your Graduation Prior to Applying for a PGWP?

You are free to work legally in Canada just after your graduation if you apply before the expiry of your study permit. It will not clash with your PGWP.

You don’t need to hold a Canadian Work Permit, because you are waiting for a decision on your application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

The good thing is – you are eligible to restore your status of your student permit, if it is just expired, given that you have only been out of the status for 90 days or less.

How Many Times Are You Eligible To Apply for A PGWP?

You are eligible to apply for a PGWP program once. If you have a plan to take other courses of study which is a continuation of your previous program, then you are considering studying a longer degree course in Canada. In this case, you may need to apply for your PGWP very strategically. This may grant you a PGWP with longer validity that can be a maximum time of 3 years.

Can A PGWP Help You Immigrate in Canada?

This PGWP program is designed in such a way that foreign nationals who graduated from one of the designated learning institutes in Canada get an option for work, and apply for permanent residence.

Thus, you have the option to apply under the Express Entry system in Canada by bridging the education into your valuable full-time work experience.

Graduating from Canada with work experience ensures that you will gain extra points towards your CRS score i.e. Comprehensive Ranking System. Thus, it makes you more competitive and gives you a valuable position among other applicants to gain permanent residence status.

Have more questions stuck in mind regarding a PGWP or study in Canada? Don’t worry! Education Vibes is here to help you. Our expert study abroad consultants are there to answer all your questions regarding your education abroad.

Get in touch today!