Post-Graduation Work Permit
The PGWP allows you to gain work experience after you graduate from your program of study in Canada. Many U of R Graduates choose to work and live in Canada after the completion of their studies.
To find out if you are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's website.
IMPORTANT: IRCC recently announced new eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. View the changes here.
If you wish to learn more about the provincial immigration program, visit the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) website.
Important: It is the student's responsibility to ensure they are aware of and comply with all IRCC policies and regulations. Negligence or non-compliance will result in severe consequences to their immigration status and future immigration opportunities.
I want to...
Determine my eligibility for a PGWP
Apply for a PGWP online
Prepare my documents for my application
You need the following to prove you’ve completed your studies by submitting one of the following:
- a degree or diploma
- an official letter from your school (Letter of Completion)
- an official transcript, or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website
You will also need other supporting documents for your application. For a complete list, please visit our International Student Services office in College West 109.
Get my U of R Letter of Completion
Get my U of R Official Transcripts
Apply for a PGWP but my Study Permit has already expired
According to IRCC's website:
If your study permit expires before you apply
If you don’t change your status to visitor and your study permit expires, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.
To restore your status as a student, you must
- apply online for your PGWP and pay the correct fee ($255), and
- pay the fee to restore your status as a student ($379)
- Because of system limitations, you must pay the fees to restore your status as a student online and attach a copy of the receipt to your PGWP online application. You don’t need to make a separate application to restore your status as a student.
You can’t work until your study permit and work permit have been approved. Find out if you meet the other requirements to work while we process your application.
If you don’t apply within 90 days, or if 90 days have already passed, you must leave Canada.
Your study permit must be valid (not expired) at the time you submit your application to be eligible to work in Canada while awaiting a decision on your PGWP application.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am currently enrolled in an 8-month program. Am I eligible for a PGWP?
I am currently enrolled in a distance learning program. Am I eligible for a PGWP?
Can I apply for my Post-Graduation Work permit (PGWP) at a port of entry?
I have applied for my PGWP. When will I receive it?
I have been waiting for a decision on my application for longer than the application processing time posted when I submitted my application. How can I contact IRCC?
I have now graduated. When am I eligible work and how many hours can I work?
According to IRCC's website:
You can work full-time until we make a decision on your work permit application if you
- had a valid study permit at the time you submitted your application
- completed your study program
- were eligible to work off campus without a work permit while studying and you didn’t work more hours than you were allowed to
If you received the WP-EXT for PGWP (IMM 0127 E) letter
You’re authorized to work until a decision is made on your work permit application, even if the 120-day validity period of the letter expires. If you need proof of authorization to continue working, you can ask for it using our web form.
If these conditions apply to you and you need to prove to an employer that you’re eligible to work, provide the employer with a copy of all the required documents.
If these conditions don’t apply to you, you must wait until your work permit arrives to begin your new job. It’s illegal to work in Canada without authorization.
If we refuse your work permit, you must stop working the day we notify you.