Janice Lozano
International students who wish to stay in Canada after graduation have several options. One popular option is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows graduates to work for almost any employer in Canada and maintain their temporary status. The PGWP is valid for between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the student's program. Another option is to apply for a visitor record, which allows students to stay in Canada as visitors but does not permit them to work. Some students may also choose to apply for permanent residency (PR) or explore other work permit pathways, such as the International Mobility Program (IMP) or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Additionally, graduates may be able to settle in Canada permanently through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which varies by province and territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Options to stay in Canada after graduation | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), Visitor Record, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Permanent Residency |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) validity | Between 8 months and 3 years, depending on the program's length |
| PGWP eligibility | Undergraduate or college academic programs that are 8 months or longer in duration |
| PGWP application deadline | Within 180 days of receiving the final transcript and an official letter confirming completion of requirements |
| Work permit pathways | Open Work Permit through the International Mobility Program (IMP) or employer sponsorship through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) |
| Visitor Record eligibility | Applicable if the study permit expires and the individual wants to stay in Canada temporarily as a visitor |
| Visitor Record application | Can be applied online or by paper from within Canada; must be submitted no more than 90 days after program completion |
| Visitor Record restrictions | Cannot apply for a PGWP after switching to a visitor record; cannot work while in Canada |
| Permanent Residency | Some students choose to apply for permanent residency to remain in Canada permanently as immigrants |
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What You'll Learn
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
International students who wish to stay and work in Canada after graduating may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit that allows international graduates to live and work in Canada for a designated period of up to three years. It has no restrictions on the field of employment or the location of work.
To be eligible for a PGWP, a foreign national must be at least 18 years old and have studied full-time in Canada in a program of at least eight months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). The program must have been completed in one of the eligible fields of study. In addition, there are new language requirements for PGWP eligibility. Graduates will need to take a recognised immigration language test, achieving a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language areas.
An application for a PGWP must be submitted within 180 days of completing your program, and your study permit must be valid at some point during this period. If your study permit expires, you can apply for status as a visitor before applying for the PGWP. The processing time for a PGWP application is between 80 and 180 days. During this waiting period, you are allowed to work in Canada as long as you applied before the expiry date of your student permit.
The duration of your PGWP depends on the length of your study program, the level of the program, and the expiry date of your passport. The validity date of your PGWP can never exceed the date of your passport's validity. If your passport expires before the full duration of your eligibility, you can apply to extend your PGWP.
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Visitor record
International students who want to stay in Canada temporarily after their studies can apply for a visitor record. This allows them to remain in the country but does not permit them to work. The application should be submitted no more than 90 days after program completion. The validity period of a visitor record is at the discretion of the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer or a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
A visitor record is not the same as a visitor visa. Visitor records are for those who are already in Canada and want to extend their stay. This includes foreign nationals in Canada as visitors and those with expiring work or study permits.
If you want to work in Canada after your studies, you will most likely need a work permit. The most popular option is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit, meaning that holders can work for almost any employer in Canada. It is valid for between eight months and three years, depending on the length of your program. To be eligible, your program must have been longer than eight months. You must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final transcript and an official letter confirming you have completed the requirements for graduation.
If you want to settle in Canada permanently, you can apply for permanent residency (PR). One pathway to this is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province and territory has its own programs and requirements. Alternatively, you can apply for an open work permit through the International Mobility Program (IMP), or you may be able to get an employer to sponsor you through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
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Permanent residency
International students who wish to stay in Canada after graduation can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit that allows holders to work for almost any employer in Canada. The PGWP is valid for between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the program. For example, if the program is longer than two years, the PGWP will be valid for up to three years.
While holding a PGWP, graduates can take steps to obtain permanent residence. However, it is important to note that the process of obtaining a PGWP and applying for permanent residence are two distinct steps. International students can apply for permanent residency (PR) to remain in Canada permanently. One way to do this is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where each province and territory has its own programs and requirements based on education, skills, and work experience.
Additionally, Canada offers multiple work permit pathways for foreign nationals seeking to gain work experience to strengthen their permanent residence applications. Applicants may be eligible for an open work permit through the International Mobility Program (IMP) or may be sponsored by an employer through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Obtaining a second degree or diploma in a different subject or a graduate degree in one's field of study can also be a path to permanent residency, but it requires applying for a new study permit.
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Open work permit
International students who want to stay and work in Canada after graduation can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP is an open work permit, meaning that holders can work for almost any employer in Canada. It is valid for between eight months and three years, depending on the length of the program. For example, applicants who have completed programs longer than two years can get a PGWP valid for up to three years.
To be eligible for a PGWP, applicants must apply within 180 days of receiving their final transcript from their designated learning institution (DLI). They must also have an official letter confirming that they have met all the requirements to complete their program. Graduate-level international students, including those with a master's degree, are exempt from obtaining a PAL and may be eligible for a three-year PGWP even if their academic program is shorter than two years.
Most PGWP applicants are required to meet minimum language ability levels in English or French. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 in French is required for university graduates, and level 5 minimum for college graduates. If your passport expires before the full duration of your eligibility, you can apply to extend your PGWP.
International students can also apply for permanent residence. Each province and territory has its own programs and requirements for permanent residence. If you want to live in a particular province or territory, you may be eligible for their programs based on your education, skills, and work experience.
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Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an immigration program operated by each province and territory in Canada. PNPs allow provinces to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence. Once nominated, individuals are eligible to submit an official application for permanent residence. Each province and territory has multiple PNPs, tailored to fit their unique economic and demographic needs.
PNPs targeting international students typically require that the student has a valid post-graduation work permit. Students who have completed a study program of at least one year at an accredited institution are eligible to apply for this work permit after they graduate.
Some PNPs are designed for international graduates from schools anywhere in Canada. These PNPs require candidates to have a valid post-graduation work permit and be working for an employer in the province where they are applying.
- Nova Scotia's program (NSNP) nominates eligible skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to settle permanently in the province.
- Ontario nominates foreign workers, international students, business owners, or entrepreneurs with the skills, experience, education, and intent to settle in the province as permanent residents.
- The PEI PNP is an economic immigration program for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who demonstrate the intention to live and work in PEI and show the ability to become economically established in the province.
- Yukon's provincial immigration program assists eligible employers in Canada's northern territory to nominate internationally-trained foreign workers and businesspeople for Canadian permanent residence.
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Frequently asked questions
A PGWP is an open work permit that allows international students to work for almost any employer in Canada. The validity of the permit ranges from eight months to three years, depending on the length of the program.
Most PGWP applicants are required to meet minimum language proficiency levels in English or French. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 in French is required for university graduates and level 5 minimum for college graduates.
If your study permit is expiring and you want to stay in Canada temporarily, you can apply for a visitor record to change your immigration status to a visitor. This application should be submitted within 90 days of completing your program. However, please note that you cannot work in Canada with a visitor record.
International students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to maintain their temporary status and work in Canada. They can simultaneously take steps towards obtaining permanent residence by applying for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province and territory have different programs and requirements based on education, skills, and work experience.
Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in Canada can explore the International Mobility Program (IMP) or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The IMP offers an open work permit, while the TFWP requires employer sponsorship.
