Post-graduation work permit applications guidelines

On this page

The following guidelines are strictly for properly accredited spouses/partners and children of foreign representatives who wish to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from within Canada following the completion of a qualifying degree or diploma granting program. These instructions, jointly developed with Immigration, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC), do not apply to foreign representatives, nor to any individuals whose accreditation is already withdrawn.

General information regarding the PGWP program and application instructions are online (see How to apply for the PGWP). This guide provides additional information regarding special steps to be followed by properly accredited children and spouses / partners of foreign representatives.

Please also note that there is a separate guide for dependents of foreign representatives wishing to continue studying following the end of their accreditation.

Program overview

If you have completed a PGWP-eligible degree or diploma granting program in Canada, you may be eligible to apply to IRCC for a post-graduation work permit, which is an open work permit issued for a delineated period. Eligible applicants may submit their applications either from inside Canada or outside of Canada.

Accredited spouses/partners

If your program of study ends during your accreditation or if your accreditation will end within the within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study (the eligibility period to apply for a PGWP), you may choose to apply for a PGWP from inside Canada before your accreditation has been withdrawn.

Dependent children

If you are over 18 years old and no longer studying (or if your sending State is no longer seeking privileges and immunities on your behalf), your accreditation as a dependent child of a foreign representative will be withdrawn, with the expectation that you either depart Canada, or regularize your status with IRCC in some way. If you wish to apply for your PGWP from inside Canada, you must do so immediately following the completion of your studies, and before your accreditation has been withdrawn.

To apply for a PGWP from inside Canada your mission must request a non-objection letter from the Office of Protocol prior to the submission of your PGWP application. You are required to upload this letter to your IRCC secure account, along with other supporting documentation, when you submit your PGWP application. The non-objection letter will ensure your eligibility to apply from within Canada since you were authorized to study without a study permit.

If you prefer applying for your PGWP from outside Canada, there are no special steps that need to be followed, and you can apply following standard guidance available on IRCC’s website. The rest of this guide therefore does not apply to you. Your mission must nonetheless notify of the “departure of member of the family”, or the fact that you are no longer studying, to the Office of Protocol.

Related content: Family members, definitions and related notifications

Requesting a non-objection email

Your mission must send a request for the non-objection email to the Immigration Liaison Unit, which includes the following information:

  • Full name and date of birth of the PGWP applicant
  • Date of completion of studies
  • Confirmation that the accredited family member is still in Canada

Please do not send copies of registration forms, pictures, signatures cards, passports, acceptance counterfoils and identification cards because the Office of Protocol already has the related information on file.

The Office of Protocol cannot provide information regarding the processing time for these requests, which depends on the circumstances of each application. Each request will be reviewed as quickly as possible.

Submitting a PGWP application, biometrics and other requirements

The in-Canada PWGP application should be submitted as soon as possible after you have completed your studies, but prior to the end of your accreditation. If you do not have a PGWP by the time your accreditation has ended, you will be required to depart Canada. You will not be allowed to stay in Canada to work or await the outcome of your application.

Once you have received your non-objection letter from the Office of Protocol, follow the IRCC instructions to submit your PGWP application from within Canada, ensuring you upload the letter together with a copy of your valid accreditation documents (acceptance counterfoil + identification card) to your secure account portal.

Biometrics

PGWP applicants must enroll their biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph). In the secure account portal, IRCC will send you instructions on how to enroll your biometrics. You can then book an appointment online to submit your biometrics at a designated Service Canada office.

If a medical exam or a police certificate are required, IRCC will also inform you via your secure account portal.

Please send a notification message to the Immigration Liaison Unit and the Accreditation Unit immediately after the application is submitted with the file number (W plus 9 digits). This step is essential for accredited children of foreign representatives whose accreditation will otherwise be withdrawn upon completion of studies.

Status updates and finalization

If your application for a PGWP is approved, IRCC will mail an Employment Authorization document to the mailing address you have provided. You will not need to leave Canada to activate your status as a temporary foreign worker. This document, however, does not allow re-entry to Canada. IRCC will provide instructions on applying for the relevant travel document to accompany your work authorization.

If IRCC refuses your PGWP application, you will receive a letter in your secure account portal explaining why you have been refused.

In both scenarios (approval or refusal), the mission must notify the Office of Protocol of the person’s change in status.

IRCC is the main point of contact for your work permit application, not the Office of Protocol. Please be aware that the Office of Protocol at Global Affairs Canada cannot:

  • assist with the work permit application submission
  • respond to enquiries on the status of applications
  • help with expediting the processing of applications
  • overcome an IRCC decision
  • redirect enquires to IRCC

Tips

You must pay all applicable fees. You are also responsible for:

  • submitting a complete and accurate application (When responding to questions on the application form, do not leave any field blank – indicate n/a if not applicable)
  • providing up to date contact information including email, mailing address and telephone number
  • regularly checking your secure account and email (including your junk mail folder) for IRCC instructions
  • responding promptly to any requests for information

Any document not in English or French must have a certified translation.

Please note that you should submit a copy of your regular passport since you will be transitioning to temporary foreign worker status. The validity of your PGWP cannot exceed the validity of the passport. If your passport expires before the expected duration of your work permit, you may wish to obtain a new passport before applying for a PGWP.

Important notices

Obtaining a PGWP automatically results in the withdrawal of accreditation for both spouses/partners and children.

Foreign representatives who may qualify for a post-graduation work permit on the basis of completed studies must depart Canada and apply for a PGWP from outside of Canada following IRCC’s PGWP instructions. The instructions contained in this guide do not apply to your situation and there is no possibility to apply for a PGWP from within Canada.

For spouses/partners in possession of existing open work permits issued as a result of accreditation (example, based on a reciprocal employment arrangement); these work permits are invalidated once accreditation has been withdrawn.

Family members will not be issued visitors visas or another status from within Canada to accompany those who have been granted PGWPs. If parents / spouses / partners wish to return to Canada, they must depart and subsequently apply for a valid entry document such as a visitor visa (in other words, temporary resident visa or TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) from outside of Canada.