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New Rules for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

By Michael Niren October 17, 2014 (Updated February 7, 2024) 5 min. read

The Post Graduate Work Permit Program allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience.

Skilled Canadian work experience in NOC skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry. With a post-graduation work permit, graduates can work full-time, part-time, or be self-employed.

Am I Eligible for a PGWP in 2024?

You can apply for a PGWP if:

Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime. To obtain a post-graduation work permit, the applicant must currently hold valid temporary status or have left Canada. They must have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI).

Post-Graduate Work Permit Processing Time

When applying for a PGWP you can expect to wait for 2 to 3 months. You are allowed to work while waiting for your post-graduate work permit if you’ve applied before your student permit expired. once you’ve completed all the requirements within your studies, you will have 180 days to apply.

Understanding the Rules for Post-Graduate Work Permits

The LMIA requires that an employer demonstrate that there are no Canadians who can fill the position and therefore the company is entitled to hire a foreign worker. The exemption to the LMIA process was a great benefit for recent graduates and employers alike. However, the Canadian government has taken away this exemption, and now post-grad students and employers are required to go through the LMIA process, just like other candidates.

This means that the employer must recruit for four weeks and show that it could not find a qualified worker in Canada before it hires a post-graduate student. This is a very unfortunate development and requires that employers start the process early if they intend to hire post-grad workers. Both student and employer should be getting their paperwork together as early as possible.

Post-graduation work permits are exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessments. They are considered open and coded as C43.

Can I Apply for More Than One PGWP?

You can only apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) one time in your lifetime. If you’re considering further studies that continue your initial program or aiming for a longer degree in Canada, it’s smart to plan your PGWP application carefully. However, you can apply for other programs such as Express Entry at any point in time if you have already applied for a PGWP once.

Was Your Post Graduate Work Permit Rejected?

Receiving a refusal can be unexpected and undesirable but if you do, it’s important to stay calm and get ready for your next steps! Once you’ve been rejected you will have 180 days from when your study permit expired to reapply. It is vital to speak with an immigration professional and receive lawyer representation when re-applying as you will need to restore your status and explain/prove the concerns the IRCC had that granted the refusal.

A few common reasons a PGWP may be refused include:

Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) for Post-Graduation Work Permit Applicants

The following applies to applicants from countries whose nationals require a visa:

Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs) for Post-Graduation Work Permit Applicants

eTAs for post-graduation work permit applicants from countries whose nationals do not require a visa are issued upon approval of the post-graduation work permit application. Clients who are eligible for an eTA through eTA expansion are also issued an eTA upon the issuance of the post-graduation work permit.

If an eTA is issued with a post-graduation work permit for an eTA expansion client, and the client holds a valid TRV, the officer should not cancel the existing TRV. Until it expires, the client can continue to use the TRV to travel to Canada by

Are You a Post Graduate Interested in a Work Permit in 2024?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.

Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?

Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.

The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.

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