Post Graduate work Permit Applications

A PGWP is an open work permit. It is an immigration document that allows the holder to work for any employer, with a few notable exceptions (e.g. non-compliant employers and those who operate within the sex trade).

Graduates from specific post-secondary programs in Canada may qualify for a work permit of up to three years, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

Effective November 1, 2024, graduates from a university bachelor’s degree, master degree or doctoral program are eligible to apply for a PGWP and are exempt from field of study requirements.

These PGWP applicants must prove their English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas – reading, writing, listening and speaking. Additional eligibility requirements may be found on the IRCC website.

Important: Eligible graduates must have maintained full time status (enrollment in 3 courses or 9 credit hours) as a student in Canada during each academic term to qualify for a PGWP.

All eligible students should aim to apply for their PGWP within the first 90 days of their academic program’s completion. A students official program completion may be signified by any of the following – whichever comes first:

• Release of final grades
• Access to Official Transcript
• Receipt of Program Completion Letter

To learn more about these documents, visit the Registrar’s Office website.

Important: The length of your PGWP depends on the level and duration of your academic program, as well as the expiry date of your passport – whichever comes first.

Effective February 15, 2024, students who graduate from a masters degree program at least 8 months in length may be eligible for a 3 year PGWP. As such, all masters degree programs at Niagara University remain PGWP-eligible.

Note: The final determination of PGWP length is at the IRCC official’s discretion.