Post-Graduation Work Permits enable foreign students who have graduated from a certified Canadian educational institution to begin creating a life and career in Canada. Learn more about the PGWP application process.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme allows overseas students in Canada to stay in the country after completing their post-secondary education and begin establishing a life and career.
This programme grants an open work permit valid for up to three years, allowing any graduate of a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) to work for any Canadian company of their choosing without a job offer at the time of application.

This programme provides for permits of up to three years, however the actual duration of a permit will depend on the length of the educational programme from which the applicant has graduated.
General PGWP application process
The application procedure for a PGWP may begin on the same day a potential candidate gets their official transcript and letter verifying programme completion.
International students seeking a PGWP have six months (180 days) from now to submit their application.
A significant portion of the applicant’s first tasks in this application process include acquiring the required papers listed on the Canadian government’s website, which must be provided with the application:
- A diploma or certificate
- A letter from your school that is official
- An official transcript or a copy of your transcript downloaded from your school’s website.
- After an application is received, IRCC may seek more documentation.
After this stage has been completed, the application processes and procedures will differ depending on whether the PGWP applicant is applying from inside or outside of Canada. The majority of candidates will be required to apply online, however paper applications will be made accessible under certain conditions.
Applying for the PGWP inside Canada through online application
Canada-based PGWP applicants will be required to submit their applications online in all cases save two.
This procedure consists of the following five steps:
Step 1: Prepare Application Necessary Documents
Applicants must possess a valid credit or debit card and a scanner or camera in order to produce electronic copies of application materials.
Step 2: Read the Manual Before Beginning the Application
Step 3: Preparing Online Tool Responses
The online tool given prior to the submission of application forms will present applicants with a customised list of the papers they must provide with their application.
Step 4: Determine the applicable application fee
Fill Our Free Assessment Form To Begin
The fees connected with the PGWP programme may comprise any combination of the following:
- Service charges
- An open work permit holder charge
- A work permit charge
- A biometric charge (exempt as of the time of writing, the exemption will be lifted at some point)
- Step 5: Sign in or Create an Account
To pay application fees, submit an application, and check an application’s status, you must have an account with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Paper application for PGWP submissions from inside Canada
Requests for a paper application for the PGWP programme may be made if:
The impairment of the applicant makes it difficult for them to utilise the online application system.
If there is a problem with the online application system, please contact the support staff.
This procedure consists of the following four steps:
Fill Our Free Assessment Form To Begin
Step 1: Get Application Materials
On the Canadian government’s website, the application package may be accessed. As application costs are non-refundable, it is imperative that applicants check their own eligibility and follow all instructions prior to beginning the application process.
Step 2: Complete Application and provide all required attachments
Applicants must ensure that all necessary papers (and all pages of each document) are included with their application, since errors in this area might result in processing delays.
Third Step: Pay Application Costs
The fees connected with the PGWP programme may comprise any combination of the following:
- Service charges
- An open work permit holder charge
- A work permit charge
- A biometric charge (exempt as of the time of writing, the exemption will be lifted at some point)
- Third-party expenses for medical tests and/or criminal records
Note (1): Fees for third parties must be paid directly to the corresponding third party.
Note (2): Applicants will learn which fees apply to them and how to pay them in the application’s accompanying instruction booklet.
Step 4: Send Application
Applications must be sent to the address listed in the application packet. It is essential to submit the application with all required documentation and a receipt verifying payment of all application costs.
Applying for the PGWP from outside of Canada over the Internet
This procedure consists of the following five steps:
Step 1: Prepare Application Necessary Documents
Applicants must possess a valid credit or debit card and a scanner or camera in order to produce electronic copies of application materials.
Step 2: Read the Manual Before Beginning the Application
Step 3: Preparing Online Tool Responses
The online tool given prior to the submission of application forms will present applicants with a customised list of the papers they must provide with their application.
Fill Our Free Assessment Form To Begin
Step 4: Determine the applicable application fee
The fees connected with the PGWP programme may comprise any combination of the following:
- Service charges
- An open work permit holder charge
- A work permit charge
- A biometric charge
- Third-party costs for medical examinations, police certifications, or Visa application centre service fees (if an applicant uses one
Note (1): Third-party fees must be paid directly to the relevant third party.
Note (2): Applicants will learn which fees apply to them and how to pay them in the application’s accompanying instruction booklet.
Step 5: Sign in or Create an Account
To pay application fees, submit an application, and check an application’s status, you must have an account with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Paper application for PGWP submissions from outside Canada
This procedure consists of the following four steps:
Step 1: Get Application Materials
On the Canadian government’s website, the application package may be accessed. As application costs are non-refundable, it is imperative that applicants check their own eligibility and follow all instructions prior to beginning the application process.
Fill Our Free Assessment Form To Begin
Step 2: Complete Application and provide all required attachments
Applicants must ensure that all needed papers are complete and attached to their application, since failure to do so might result in processing delays.

Third Step: Pay Application Costs
The fees connected with the PGWP programme may comprise any combination of the following:
Service charges
An open work permit holder charge
A work permit charge
A biometric charge
Third-party expenses for medical tests, police certifications, language examinations, and/or Visa application centre service fees (if an applicant uses one)
Note (1): Third-party fees must be paid directly to the relevant third party.
Note (2): Applicants will learn which fees apply to them and how to pay them in the application’s accompanying instruction booklet.
Step 4: Send Application
Applications must be sent to the address listed in the application packet. It is essential to submit the application with all required documentation and a receipt verifying payment of all application costs.
Fill Our Free Assessment Form To Begin
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