Post Graduation Study Permit

Students have 180 days after getting their final marks to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). To be eligible, study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days. You must also have

• completed a study program
• at a designated learning institution
• that was at least 8 months long and
• that led to a degree, diploma or certificate
• maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program
• this doesn’t include your final semester, which can be part-time, or if you took an approved leave from your studies
• graduated from 1 of the following:
• a public post-secondary school, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec)
• a private post-secondary school (in Quebec) that operates under the same rules as public schools in Quebec
• a private secondary or post-secondary school (in Quebec) that offers qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer, that leads to a diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP)
• a Canadian private school that can award degrees under provincial law (for example, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree), but only if you’re enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree as authorized by the province

Exceptions

You aren’t eligible for a PGWP if you

• already received a PGWP
• studied English or French as a second language
• took general interest or self-improvement courses
• participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by Global Affairs Canada
• had funding from Global Affairs Canada
• Note: If you got a Study in Canada scholarship, you’re still eligible for a PGWP.
• got the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada-Chile
• participated in the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchanges Program
• participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
• completed the majority of a study program by distance learning (online courses, e-learning or correspondence)
• completed a study program at a non-Canadian institution located in Canada