Work in Canada after you graduate: Who can apply

If you graduated from a designated learning institution, and want to stay in Canada temporarily while working, you may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

Not all designated learning institutions make you eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

Check the designated learning institution list to find out which schools offer programs that make you eligible.

How long is a post-graduation work permit valid?

How long the post-graduation work permit is valid for depends on the length of your study program. If your program was:

• less than eight months
  • you aren’t eligible for a PGWP
• more than eight months but less than two years
  • your PGWP may be valid for up to the same length as your study program (for example, if you studied for nine months, a work permit may be issued for up to nine months)
• two years or more
  • a PGWP may be issued for three years
• more than one program
  • a PGWP may be valid for up to three years, for example, if you finished a diploma or degree from an eligible school in Canada, and within the next two years you get a one-year graduate degree or diploma from an eligible school in Canada.