Work after your studies

Post-graduation work permit

A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows you to remain in Canada and work full-time after you complete a certificate, diploma, or degree program that is at least 8 months in length.

A PGWP is a practical way to advance your career goals and gain Canadian work experience after completing your studies. For students who are interested in applying for Canadian permanent residency (PR), it provides an opportunity to gain one year of skilled work experience in Canada, which might be helpful for certain PR programs.

You can only apply for the PGWP once in your lifetime. If you are unsure if you will stay or return to Canada after your studies, consider applying for the PGWP in case your plans change, since you will lose the opportunity to apply 180 days after your letter of completion first becomes available. You do not need to live in Canada or hold a job at all times to keep the work permit valid.

The length of the work permit ranges from 8 months to 3 years based on the length of your full-time program, not the amount of time spent completing program requirements.

Am I eligible?
To apply for a work permit after your graduation, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have been enrolled in full-time studies in BC;
• You must have successfully completed a program that lasted at least eight months from a public institution such as a college, trade/technical school, university or a degree program at a private institution;
• If you are taking studies that lead to a degree in a private institution, it must be approved and authorized by the province of BC;
• You must apply for a work permit within 90 days of receiving a transcript or an official letter from your institution indicating that you have met all academic requirements for your program;
• You must have completed and passed your program of study and have received a notification from your institution saying you are eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate; and,
• You must have a valid study permit when you apply for your work permit.

For more information about the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

View the list of designated learning institutions and programs in BC that are eligible for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.