Glossary · Temporary residence. Open work permit for graduates of eligible designated learning institutions.

PGWP

Post-Graduation Work Permit

An open work permit for graduates of eligible DLIs, applied inside the program window.

On the official record

• IRCC PGWP page says graduates of certain designated learning institutions may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
• The how-to-apply page says you have up to 180 days after you graduate to apply. That is the window commonly discussed from written confirmation of completion.
• You can apply from inside Canada or from another country if you are eligible.
• R186(w) lets some people work after they apply if they applied before the study permit expired and they met the student off-campus work rules. The after-you-apply page restates that test: valid study permit at submit, program completed, eligible to work off campus, and you did not work more hours than allowed.

Common mix-ups

• Not a permanent residence program. Do not read it as a door on the economic PR hub.
• Not a BOWP.
• Not a right to restore a missed PGWP after the window closes.

Confirm on the official page

Start here: IRCC: Post-graduation work permit.

The catch

If the study permit expires before you apply and you did not change status to visitor, the apply page gives you up to 90 days after expiry to apply for the PGWP and restore student status. You cannot work until that permit is approved. If you do not apply within those 90 days, the page says you must leave Canada. Restoration of a PGWP after that window is not printed as something an officer can approve.

What people mix up

A PGWP is not a BOWP. One is for eligible graduates. The other is for certain people with a PR file already in process.

Related

BOWP · Maintained status · Programs hub (PR later) · Work permits

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