Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
For many international students , the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is the crucial bridge between an academic journey and building a career in Canada. The PGWP is an open work permit that allows eligible international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This experience can be instrumental in supporting a future application for permanent residence in Canada, as many immigration programs value Canadian work experience. Type of Work Permit The PGWP is an open work permit . This means a PGWP holder is not tied to a specific employer and can work for almost any employer in Canada. The PGWP is also exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under LMIA exemption code C43. A PGWP can only be issued once in a lifetime. Timing and Validity An application for the PGWP must be submitted within 180 days of receiving confirmation of program completion (e.g., offici...