Canada’s post-graduation work permit: requirements and how to apply

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image - Canada, 1080px
Reading time: 5 minutes

Canada needs immigrants to grow its population. And there’s good news for students: foreign learners and people with a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) are some of the most important propellers of the country’s population growth.  

So how does a PGWP work? In this guide, we cover what you need to know. You’ll learn about who’s eligible, how much it costs, and most importantly, how long you can stay in the country after graduation to gain Canadian work experience.  

Canada’s post-graduation work permit: how does it work? 

The PGWP lets international students who have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution to stay in Canada and work for up to three years. Not surprisingly, the program is a big draw to work and study in Canada for international students – and it’s grown in popularity over the last several years.  

Just take a look at the numbers: between 2005 and 2016, the amount of permits issued to new graduates increased by 15 times – from 7,400 to 117,700 per year. By 2018, 143,000 permits were issued. And in the first quarter of 2021, PGWPs increased 160% year-over-year.  

The PGWP is an open work permit, which means you can work for any employer in Canada. You also don’t need a job offer to apply. The length of your PGWP depends on how long you’ve studied in Canada. For example, if your program was: 

  • Under 8 months, you won’t be eligible for a PGWP. 

  • Less than 2 years, you may get a permit for the same amount of time as you studied (for example if your program was one year, you might get a permit for one year).

  • More than 2 years, you could be eligible for a 3-year permit. 

If you studied more than 1 program, you may also get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.  

Who is eligible?  

To be eligible for a PGWP, you need to meet a number of criteria. For example, you need to have graduated from a program that was at least 8 months long at a designated learning institution – and have earned a degree, diploma, or certificate from that. 

International students who were approved for a study permit and are studying online outside Canada due to the pandemic are also eligible for a PGWP.  

However, people who’ve only studied English or French as a second language in Canada are not.  

For a full list of criteria, make sure to check out the Government of Canada website.  

How can you apply? 

Before you begin the application process, you need to have proof that you’ve completed your studies. You need to show either: 

  • An official letter from your institution 

  • An official transcript  

  • A degree or diploma  

After you’ve got one of these, you need to apply for a PGWP within 180 days.  

Instructions for exactly how to apply depending on whether you’re applying from inside or outside Canada. You can find the step-by-step instructions on the Government of Canada website – including an official guide and a document checklist.  

How much does it cost? 

It costs $255 CAD to apply for a PGWP. Processing times differ, but it can take up to 73 days to be approved on average. However, the good news is that many graduates can work while they’re waiting on a decision.  

Other visa options  

Being able to work and study in Canada for international students around the world is often a dream come true. However if you’re not eligible for a PGWP, you do have some other visa options.  

An employer-specific work permit 

This type of work permit allows you to work for a certain amount of time for a specific employer. You might be eligible for this if you’ve gotten a job to be a researcher at a university, or a charitable worker at an NGO, for example.  

Canada has a tool to help you learn more about what type of work permit you could be eligible for. You can check it out here.  

Permanent residence  

If you’ve worked full-time for 12 months after graduation in a skilled trade, a professional job that requires a degree, or a management-level job, you could be eligible for permanent residence.

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    Are you an international student in Australia who has recently completed your degree? Congratulations! With your studies complete it is now time to think about your future in Australia. Did you know you can apply for a post-study work visa (also known as a Temporary Graduate visa or subclass 485) following the completion of your studies? This enables you to work, live and travel in Australia. Find out more about this visa below.

    What is the post-study work visa and what does it mean for you?

    Depending on the qualification you graduate with, this visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 8 years following the completion of your studies, depending on your field of study and degree level. Recent changes have extended work rights for graduates in areas of workforce need. The Australian government currently estimates application processing times to range from 3 to 6 months. 

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    Before you apply, check to see if you meet the Australian government’s study requirements to ensure you meet eligibility requirements. A post-study work visa is only available if you successfully applied for your first student visa on or after November 5th, 2011. In order to ensure your application for this visa is processed by the Australian government, you’ll need to have held an Australian student visa for a period greater than 6 months before your application date and currently hold a substantive visa.

    Eligibility Requirements   

    Before you apply, check to see if you meet the Australian government’s study requirements to ensure you meet eligibility requirements. A post-study work visa is only available if you successfully applied for your first student visa on or after November 5th, 2011. In order to ensure your application for this visa is processed by the Australian government, you’ll need to have held an Australian student visa for a period greater than 6 months before your application date and currently hold a substantive visa. 

    Please note that you are not eligible for a post-study work visa if you have previously held a Temporary Graduate visa or a Recognised Graduate visa as a primary visa holder. However, graduates who studied at regional institutions may qualify for a second Post-Study Work visa. This second visa allows an additional 1–2 years of stay, provided that the applicant lived, worked, or studied in a regional area throughout their first PSW visa period. This initiative is part of the Australian government’s efforts to attract skilled graduates to regional areas and promote economic growth outside major cities. 

    Check your eligibility in full on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website. 

    The application process 

    The Australian government provides a useful step by step visa guide so students have a simple resource to follow once they’re in the position to apply for their Temporary Graduate visa.

    1. When should you start the application process? 

    It’s important that you start the application for your post-study work visa as soon as you receive confirmation from your education provider that you’ve successfully completed your studies. You must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing your eligible course.

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    As with any application, you’ll need to provide documented evidence to support your application. It’s important that you thoroughly review all required documentation so you do not accidentally miss items essential to your application. Given that some documents may be harder to source than others, it’s important to get started on your application as soon as you receive notice of your successful completion. Please ensure you check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website to make sure you have up to date advice and a detailed list of required documentation.

    One of the most important documents to provide with your application is your English language test results to prove your proficiency. PTE Academic is accepted by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for all visa categories, including post-study visa applications.

    To use PTE Academic to apply for an Australian visa, you need to select ‘Australia’ on the country dropdown menu and ‘work’ on the current goal options. You can choose to have your scores allocated to the DHA when you register or simply provide the Score Report Code on your visa application form so they can access your result.

    Find out more about PTE Academic and the test centers near you.

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    Job opportunities for international students in the UK
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Studying abroad is rarely cheap. Even if you’ve got a scholarship, a job on the side can help you live a little more comfortably during your degree. Luckily, there are lots of jobs for international students in the UK. You just need to know where to find them.  

    Once you arrive, you’ll be able to do the traditional resumé drop-offs and ask about opportunities in the store. But you don’t have to wait until then to start your hunt. Jumping online and applying in advance is the best method for getting a job in the UK for international students. It’s also nice to know that you’ve got a casual or part-time position waiting for you.  

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    • Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    • Graduate jobs for international students in the UK

       

    Part-time jobs in the UK for international students

    If you’ve got strong time-management and organization skills, working a part-time job while you study can be an effective way to earn an income. On an international student visa (Student route visa), you’re able to work up to 20 hours per week during the term. 

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    • Student ambassador

    • Library assistant

    Would you prefer a part-time job that is more academic in nature will intellectually challenge you as much as your actual course? You might consider becoming a research assistant at your university.

    If you’re studying a postgraduate degree or PhD, you could even apply for part-time teaching jobs in the UK for international students. Sharing your experience with undergraduates in tutorials is a great way to solidify your own knowledge while earning some money.

    The UK’s largest job databases are a good place to start your hunt:

    If you’ve got a specific job in mind, try searching for a niche jobs website (e.g. C+D Jobs is a great place to find pharmacy jobs in the UK for international students).

    Most UK universities have support services that can help you find a part-time job (as well as a job after you graduate). As an example, the career center at University College London helps UCL students with all types of career-related activities – including finding part-time jobs in London for international students. Similarly, the University of Edinburgh runs a careers service where international students can get advice about part-time jobs in Scotland. Visit your chosen university’s website to see what kind of career services they provide.

    Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    Prefer to focus all your time and energy on your studies? That’s alright – a casual job during semester breaks might be a good alternative for you. A student visa allows you to work full-time during vacation periods.

    Most of the part-time jobs listed above are also great options for working during your time off. You may also find an opportunity over summer to work as a:

    • Sales representative

    • Event assistant

    • Call center operator

    • Private tutor

    The resources previously mentioned for part-time jobs are also relevant for international students finding a summer job in the UK. You should also consider talking to your university’s career support staff about any summer internships that might be available – these can provide a great experience and give you a foot in the door.

    Graduate Jobs in the UK for International Students

    As your final exam and graduation approach, you’ll naturally start thinking about your first job after university. The UK’s immigration program will allow you to transition from a student visa to a working visa if you secure a position that meets the relevant salary and time criteria.

    This is where your university’s career center will really come in handy, so make sure you’ve made appointments with them well ahead of your last class. They can help you find and apply for UK jobs for international graduates.

    Many jobsites allow you to filter your search to jobs that are marked as suitable for new graduates. Check that you’re searching in the right area/with the right filter.  

    Whether you’re looking for a part-time role while you study or a full-time job to extend your stay in the UK, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities available to you.