When to apply
While IRCC’s policy states that you have 180 days to apply, if you are in Canada we highly recommend applying for your PGWP within 90 days of completing your program or by the expiry date on your study permit, whichever comes first.
Even if the expiry date on your study permit is valid for a longer time, it still automatically expires 90 days after completion of studies, unless you’ve been accepted to further education in Canada. Check your official completion of studies letter from the University for the date you completed your degree requirements.
If you apply after the initial 90 days following completion of your program and from within Canada, you’ll be required to restore your study permit status when applying for your PGWP online. However, you must do so within 90 days after your study permit has expired (and within 180 days of program completion). You won’t be able to begin working until you receive the PGWP. If you have a reason to delay the submission of your PGWP beyond the 90 days following completion of your program, we would highly recommend you speak with one of our immigration consultants.
Your study permit must be valid until the end of your program. If your study permit won’t be valid or it expires very shortly after completing your program, you can apply to extend your study permit before you finish your degree. The extension will give you an extra 90 days in Canada after your last term.
How the length of the PGWP is determined
The length of a PGWP depends on the length of your full-time program, not how long you took to complete it. Students that complete a program of two or more years in length may be eligible for a PGWP issued for three years. Please note: Effective February 15, 2024 (for applications received on or after February 15, 2024), three year PGWPs will be available to those who are graduating from a Masters degree program that is less than 2 years in length and who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria. If you complete two post-secondary programs at designated learning institutions in Canada, IRCC will consider both programs when issuing the PGWP as long as the second program was completed within two years following the completion of your first program and both programs are more than eight months in length.
Once you have a PGWP
The PGWP can only be held once in a lifetime. If you think you may pursue another post-secondary program in Canada in the near future, please read the information about working after your degree on our working in Canada webpage. Also, you are welcome to speak to one of our immigration consultants about your plans.
It is not possible to extend a PGWP. However, if your PGWP is issued for a shorter period due to your passport expiry date, once you renew your passport, you can apply for the remainder of the eligible length. This extension has to be done through the paper-based application method and mailed.