NEXT STEPS AFTER GRADUATION: INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS
Last updated: August 9, 2024
Work Permit & Travel
As an international graduate student who has applied for graduation during Summer 2024, please carefully review the detailed information below regarding your immigration & travel documents after completion of your program.
Should you have any questions, please with an International Student Advisor for assistance. We wish you all the best with your future endeavours.
Note: This page will be updated as information changes. The information below is only applicable to 丁香园AV students and is current as of the last updated date. While we do our best to ensure that the advice given is accurate and up to date, please note the information below does not replace the specific information provided by the government and other relevant authorities. Please be aware that all information provided is subject to change without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is a PGWP?
- When should I apply for PGWP?
- When does my study permit become invalid?
- How can I apply for my PGWP within Canada?
- Will my eligibility for the PGWP be impacted if I studied part time or took time off at some point in my Program?
- My study permit will expire before I can submit the PGWP application. How should I proceed with my PGWP?
- I am currently outside Canada. Can I apply for a PGWP from outside Canada?
- Can I apply for my PGWP at the USA/Canada border (also known as flagpoling)?
- How will COVID-19 impact my PGWP application?
- I am eligible for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit. My passport will expire in less than 3 years. How can I get the maximum PGWP length?
- What tips should I consider while submitting my PGWP application?
- Can I work before applying for a PGWP?
- Can I start working once I have applied for a PGWP?
- Can my spouse or common-law partner apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP)?
- I have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer and I am eligible to work while waiting for my PGWP. What proof of work authorization can I provide them?
Full-time international students may be eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) upon completion of their studies in Canada. The PGWP is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is an open work permit of up to three years in length, and you don't need a job offer or work experience to be eligible to apply.
Review the links below to learn more.
As instructed in the , you must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of receiving written confirmation of your program completion from 丁香园AV. Calculation of the 180-day period begins the day the final marks are issued, or the day formal written notification of program completion (the Credential Completion Letter or the Senate letter) is received, whichever comes first.
To align with we recommend that you begin counting the 180-day period from the day your final grades are released in your final term of study, as the final grades will be issued prior to your Credential Completion Letter and/or your Senate Letter. We advise that you apply for a PGWP within 180 days of鈥痳eceiving your final grades鈥痜rom 丁香园AV, which you will receive prior to your Credential Completion Letter.
If requested, the onus is on you to demonstrate when your final grades are issued and when you are first notified of your program completion (e.g. your Credential Completion Letter, your Senate Letter, etc).
Note: The date of your convocation ceremony has no relation to the 180-day application period for your PGWP.
| Applying from within Canada | OR | Applying from outside Canada |
You must have valid study permit for in-Canada PGWP application.鈥�Visit this section of our website to know more about how to apply for a PGWP from inside Canada. If you are applying (or have applied) for a PGWP while holding (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or before your permit expires), you may not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to find out how this impacts your PGWP application. |
You may have the option to鈥� 鈥痺ithin 180 days鈥痮f receiving your final grades from 丁香园AV. Review this FAQ鈥痜or more information about how to apply from outside Canada. |
Under the , your study permit will 90 days after the day you completed your studies, or on the expiry date printed on your study permit,鈥�whichever comes first.
As noted in the , the 90-day period will begin on the date when you receive the first notification of program completion from 丁香园AV. To assess the validity of your study permit, it is our recommendation that the 90-day period should be counted from the date when your Credential Completion Letter (CCL) is received as this is the first official notification of program completion that students receive at 丁香园AV. Visit the frequently asked questions (FAQ) to learn more about the CCL.
In most cases, you must apply online. You must include the following supporting documents from 丁香园AV with your application:
- A final transcript (an unofficial transcript from go丁香园AV showing your final marks is sufficient), and
- An official letter confirming the successful completion of your academic requirements. You may use one of the following for this purpose:
Credential Completion Letter (CCL) OR Senate Letter / Formal Notification of Graduation Must be manually downloaded via go丁香园AV. You will not receive an automatic notification when the CCL becomes available on go丁香园AV. Emailed to your 丁香园AV email address on September 10, 2024 after your degree is awarded by the Senate Available to you once the office of Graduate Studies receives and processes the Degree Recommendation from your program You cannot access this letter after the Senate letter is sent to you. We recommend that you generate a CCL prior to this and retain a copy of your CCL for future reference.
- Review our Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit handout and Applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit guide for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP in Canada, tips on completing the application form and the required supporting documents.
With the exception of , or an of up to 150 days, continuous full-time enrollment in each academic session (term) throughout your studies is a requirement that you must meet to be eligible for the PGWP. The Spring, Summer, and Fall terms are all considered academic sessions for 丁香园AV graduate students.
If you were not able to maintain continuous full-time enrollment in all academic terms (e.g. you studied part time or took an approved leave of absence) at 丁香园AV, it is strongly recommended that you include a letter of explanation with your application detailing your unique circumstance(s). Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may also be submitted as evidence of reason(s) for any gaps in your full-time enrollment.
Please feel welcome to connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist if you would like to discuss further. We are here to support you.
If your study permit will expire or become invalid before you can submit your PGWP application, you have several options for how to proceed. If you are unsure what your best option would be, for advice.
Option 1: Apply to extend your study permit within Canada, if eligible
Given that Summer 2024 is your final term, you may submit an application to extend your study permit within Canada for an additional 90 days (e.g. you may request your study permit to be extended to the end of November 2024) which is also known as a 鈥渂ridge extension鈥�. If you apply to extend your study permit prior to its expiry date, you can continue to remain in Canada under while waiting for a decision to be made on your study permit extension application.
If you plan to apply for a PGWP while holding (e.g. you apply to extend your study permit or before your permit expires), you will not be eligible to apply for PGWP from inside Canada. Please also note that if you apply for PGWP on a maintained status you will not be eligible to work until your PGWP is approved and issued.
If you are in this situation, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss how to approach a PGWP application.
Option 2: Apply to change your status to visitor
As an international student, you must have a valid study permit throughout the duration of your program. To remain in Canada longer beyond the end of your program, you may also apply to change your status to visitor. To do so, you must apply for a (apply to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor) before your study permit expires or becomes invalid.
While your visitor record application is in process, you may continue to remain in Canada under while waiting for a decision to be made on your visitor record application. Most visitors are not eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada. If you change your status to visitor, you may need to submit an outside Canada PGWP application. Please also note that if you apply for PGWP as a visitor, you will not be eligible to work until a decision is made on the application.
If you are in this situation, please connect with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss how to approach a PGWP application. To review who is eligible to submit an in-Canada work permit application, visit the .
Option 3: Apply for a PGWP outside Canada
If you will apply for your PGWP from outside Canada, you should either leave Canada before your current status expires, or apply to extend your stay in Canada (if you plan to leave later) using Option 1 or 2 above.
Please refer to the next question for how to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada.
You may have the option to within 180 days of completing your studies at 丁香园AV. To be eligible to apply for a PGWP from outside Canada, in most cases, you must either have a study permit, or have received a study permit approval (i.e. confirming that your study permit has been approved).
If you would like to discuss your options for how you should proceed, please contact an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist for assistance.
Flagpoling is a practice in which foreign nationals/temporary residents of Canada exit the country and reenter the country at a land border crossing or port of entry (POE) to take advantage of same-day immigration services.
On June 21, 2024, IRCC that foreign nationals (which also includes international students) can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) via flagpoling. Applicants can still apply for their PGWP online via the IRCC website. To read the announcement, visit the .
It is important to keep in mind how COVID-19 may impact the eligibility and processing of your PGWP. Temporary policies that are specific to the PGWP can be found in the headings below.
Enrollment status in the Spring 2020 & Summer 2020 terms
Visit this section of our website for more information if you were unable to maintain full-time enrollment status in the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 term due to COVID-19.
Note that this IRCC鈥檚 flexibility on full-time enrollment status was not extended beyond the Summer 2020 term. As of September 2020, 丁香园AV graduate students must meet the full-time enrollment requirement (with possible exceptions being made in the final term of study) to qualify for a PGWP.
Remote learning in and outside Canada : Note that there are different policies regarding remote learning outside and inside Canada. See below for more information
Outside Canada:
Full facilitation measures
Students who were enrolled in PGWP-eligible programs in March 2020, or who started a program of study between March 2020 and August 31, 2022, do not have to complete 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. It is possible for them to complete up to 100% of their program outside of Canada. It is important to note that time spent studying outside Canada will only count toward the overall duration of the PGWP until August 31, 2024. Full details can be read .
Reduced facilitation measures
All students who started their program of study between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, are required to complete at least 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. Students of this group will be able to count time spent studying outside of Canada toward the length of the PGWP only if it is less than 50% of the overall program until August 31, 2024. Full details can be read .
Inside Canada
When a student's courses were moved online due to the pandemic, the time they spent studying online in Canada until August 31, 2024 will be counted toward the length of the PGWP. The temporary policy for in-Canada students studying online ends on August 31, 2024. Full details can be read .
The PGWP cannot be issued beyond the . If your passport is not valid for 3 years, you can consider the following options:
- Have your passport renewed before applying for your PGWP. Check with your embassy or consulate to find out how early you may renew your passport.
- If you can鈥檛 renew your passport in time, you may apply on paper to extend your PGWP to get the full length when your passport is renewed. It is advisable to include a cover letter explaining why you cannot renew your passport. Upload this letter with your passport copy in the "Passport" section of your online application.
- Submit your PGWP application online through the .
- Name your documents in the following format: Last Name, First Name_Documents For example: Smith, ABC_Passport, Smith, ABC_Digital Photo. This makes it easier to identify those documents.
- It is considered a good practice to include a cover letter summarizing your eligibility for the post-graduation work permit. In case you don't meet any of the criteria, use the same cover letter to explain why. You can upload your cover letter/letter of explanation (along with other relevant documents) under the "Optional Documents" section of your online application under "Client Information".
- Keep a copy of the uploaded documents (including the application form) for future reference.
- Monitor your inbox for any updates/request from the IRCC.
If you were in your final term, you may continue to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week until the first date you receive your credential completion letter. Your study permit must also remain valid during this period.
You must stop working when your credential completion letter is received via go丁香园AV. Keep in mind that you will not receive an automatic notification when the credential completion letter becomes available. Visit the 丁香园AV website for instructions on how to access your CCL.
After submitting your PGWP application, you may start working on a full-time basis if you meet certain set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you do not meet those requirements, you must wait to receive your work permit first before starting or resuming work.
- Visit the to check if you are eligible to work off campus in your final term.
- Visit the to review the eligibility requirements to work after applying for the PGWP.
- Review our Next Steps After Graduation Timeline for information about work eligibility after completing your studies.
Your spouse of common-law partner may apply for an (OWP) provided that they are in a genuine relationship with you, the Principal Foreign National (PFN), and meet the eligiblity criteria for an open work permit.
Depending on your employment level, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit under one of the categories below:
- LMIA exemption C41 - Spouses or common-law partners of high-skilled workers (holding a job in Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3). Review the eligibility criteria on the .
- LMIA exemption C47 - Spouses or common-law partners of low-skilled workers (holding a job in TEER categories 4 or 5). Review the eligiblity criteria on the .
According to the , if you meet the to work after submitting your PGWP application, you may continue to work until a decision is made on your application, even if you leave and re-enter Canada.
Upon submission of the PGWP application, IRCC will issue the Submission Confirmation Letter (Acknowledgement of Receipt).
You may also receive an Interim Proof of Work Letter (IMM 0127 E 鈥� WP-EXT for PGWP). The Interim Proof of Work Letter generally has a validity of 180 days which corresponds to IRCC's standard service delivery. If you do not receive your PGWP decision during the validity period noted in your Interim Proof of Work Letter, and you still need proof of work authorization to continue working, you may request this by submitting a to IRCC.
i The 180-day validity of the Interim Proof of Work Letter in no way overrides R186(w). For more information on this, please review this .
i If you do not meet the eligibility criteria to work after applying for a PGWP, you must wait for your work permit to be approved before you start working irrespective of receiving the Interim Proof of Work Letter.
- Make sure that you have applied for graduation for the Summer 2024 term
- Review the 丁香园AV ISS FAQ page for study permit, visa, medical insurance and travel information.
- Speak with your program advisor/coordinator鈥痠f you have questions about your credential completion letter. Visit the 丁香园AV website for instructions on how to access your CCL.
- Check your passport expiry date as the post-graduation work permit will not be issued beyond the validity of your passport.
- Review the 2 丁香园AV ISS PGWP instruction guides for instructions about how to apply for a PGWP within Canada.
- Review the PGWP Information Session online recording and customize your own post-graduation work permit timeline.
- Review and check your to the PGWP.
- for PGWP applications.
- Closely monitor the for the most up to date information on travel and border measures.
- should you have any questions.
According to the Academic Dates calendar, the next Convocation ceremony will be held between October 10-11, 2024.Friends and family who wish to attend your Convocation in Canada would typically need to apply for the visitor visa (unless they are from a ). An invitation letter can be one of the documents the applicant can use to demonstrate their intent to travel to Canada. Using the template included in our guide to inviting family and friends to Canada, you can create a personalized letter for your family and friends. Here are some resources to help them prepare for their visit to Canada:
- Visit the about visiting Canada
- Visit the to review the most up to date travel and entry requirements for Canada
- Visit the to find out if your family or friends need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada
- Review the 丁香园AV ISS guide for documents you can prepare to assist your family members (includes a sample invitation letter)
- Visit the for estimated processing times for applications
If you plan to travel abroad while your PGWP application is being processed within Canada, your ability to re-enter/return to Canada may depend on a variety of factors including the validity of your immigration documents and the timing of your arrival/return to Canada. Generally speaking, you must have a valid (such as a temporary resident visa/TRV or electronic travel authorization/eTA) to return to Canada.
When you arrive at the border, you must:
- carry your valid passport and valid (such as a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization, unless exempted);
- Acknowldegement of Receipt for your Post-Graduate Work Permit application.
Note that a Border Services Officer will make the final decision on whether you are eligible to enter Canada. Upon your return, you may continue working full-time while you wait for a decision in your PGWP application provided that you meet the .
For more information about travel after submitting an in-Canada PGWP application visit:
- about leaving Canada with a PGWP application in progress
If you have questions or would like to discuss your travel plans and options, please with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.