Canada•North America

Open

C43 — Post-Graduation Work Permit

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

7-9 months

Application Fee

255 CAD

Stay Duration

8 months

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Open work permit for international graduates of eligible Canadian institutions, valid up to 3 years.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a Canadian open work permit for international graduates of eligible post-secondary Designated Learning Institutions. It requires no job offer and lets holders work for any employer in Canada, with duration matching study length — from 8 months up to 3 years.

Applicants must apply within 180 days of written graduation confirmation. The PGWP is issued only once per lifetime. Since Nov 2024, most applicants need language proof (CLB 7 for university, CLB 5 for college) and must have graduated in an eligible field. It bridges to PR via Canadian Experience Class.

This visa is ideal for international students who completed a Canadian post-secondary program and want to build Canadian work experience toward permanent residence.

Fee Breakdown

Work permit fee	155 CAD
Open work permit holder fee	100 CAD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

ValidityIndefinite

Processing0-6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must have completed an academic, vocational, or professional training program at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Program must be at least 8 months in duration (or 900 hours for Quebec)

Must have maintained full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the program

Must have graduated from an eligible program of study

Must submit the application within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion

Must hold a valid study permit at some point during the 180-day eligibility window

Must meet language proficiency requirements (CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates)

Must not have previously been issued a PGWP

Must graduate from an eligible field of study (only applies to graduates of college programs or certain shorter university programs who applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Official letter of completion from the DLI

Official transcript from the DLI

Valid passport

Proof of language proficiency (test results)

Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)

Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications

Biometrics (if not already provided in the last 10 years)

Proof of medical exam (if required for specific occupations)

Receipt of application fees

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Open work — any employer
Path to PR via CEC
Up to 3 years

Worth Knowing

Non-renewable
Must apply within 180 days
Only eligible DLI programs

Application Process

Receive official confirmation of graduation: Obtain your official completion letter and final transcript from your Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Meet language requirements: Take an approved language test to prove English or French proficiency (CLB 7 for university graduates, CLB 5 for college graduates)

Verify field of study eligibility: If you graduated from a college program and applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, ensure your program's CIP code is on the eligible list

Create or sign in to account: Access your IRCC secure account online

Complete application forms: Fill out the IMM 5710 form (if applying from inside Canada) or IMM 1295 form (if applying from outside Canada)

Upload supporting documents: Upload your completion letter, transcript, passport, language test results, and other required documents

Pay fees: Pay the CAD 155 work permit fee and CAD 100 open work permit holder fee (total CAD 255)

Submit application: Submit your application online within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of program completion

Receive decision: Wait for processing and receive your work permit in your online account

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker	—
Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada	—
IMM 5710 Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker	Fill online
IMM 1295 Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada	Fill online

Verified Claims (27)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Receive official confirmation of graduation: Obtain your official completion letter and final transc…	canada.ca
Dependent Visa	Dependents allowed	canada.ca
Fee Breakdown	Work permit fee: 155 CAD; Open work permit holder fee: 100 CAD	ircc.canada.ca
Fees	CAD 255	ircc.canada.ca
Forms	Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710); Applica…	canada.ca
Forms · IMM 1295 · description	Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada	canada.ca
Forms · IMM 1295 · name	IMM 1295	canada.ca
Forms · IMM 1295 · url	https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-gui…	canada.ca

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