Students who have pursued graduation from Designated Learning Institutions or DLIs in Canada are eligible to apply for an open work permit through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), which enables them to get Canadian work experience.
Graduates are more likely to be eligible for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class in Express Entry if they have skilled work experience in Canada categorized by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A, or B obtained through the PGWPP.
According to section 186(w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), students who have finished their course of study are permitted to work while they wait for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application as long as they satisfy all of the requirements listed below:
• They currently have or previously held a valid study permit at the time of applying for a post-graduation work permit
• They were post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional training full-time students enrolled at a DLI
• Despite not having a work permit, they were permitted to work off-campus
• They did not surpass the authorized hours of work
Applicants are only eligible for one post-graduation work permit in their lifetime.
The candidate must either have left Canada or currently have a valid temporary status in order to be granted a post-graduation work permit. They must have completed a program at a designated learning institution (DLI). They should also provide convincing proof that they satisfy each of the following requirements:
• They have successfully finished a diploma, degree, or certificate-granting academic, professional, or vocational training program at a designated Canadian institution that lasted at least 8 months.
• They have remained enrolled full-time in Canada during each session of the program of study they have finished and submitted as part of the post-graduate work permit application. Only the following are eligible for an exception:
o Final academic session students
o Those who have taken leave from studies
• They have a transcript and a letter from the qualified DLI proving that they’ve fulfilled all the conditions necessary to finish their program of study.
Note: A post-graduation work permit application must be submitted with the transcript and official letter.
Candidates must also fulfill any of the following requirements within 180 days of the date of application for their post-graduation work permit:
• They possess a current study visa.
• They had a study visa.
• A study visa was not necessary for them to enroll in school in Canada, thanks to articles 188(1)(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Recent graduates can receive valuable Canadian job experience through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which could help them gain immigration points in the future. A skilled worker who obtained experience through the PGWP and falls under NOC A, O, or B may be eligible to apply for a Canadian Permanent Residency.