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Home / Application Kits / Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): From Diploma to Open Work Permit
Application Kit Dated 3 May 2026 Standard

Standard · Post-Graduation Work Permit

From diploma to PGWP, one chance to apply within 180 days — get the timing right.

PGWP is the bridge between an international student's study permit and a work permit / PR pathway. Get it right and you have 1-3 years of open-work-permit runway to build the Canadian work history that supports an Express Entry application. Get it wrong — wrong field of study, expired study permit, missed 180-day window, ineligible DLI — and you may never qualify again. This Standard kit walks the eligibility math (program length → PGWP duration mapping), the field-of-study rules (post-2024 changes), the application timing window, and the transition into Express Entry CEC.

Independent · not a law firm
Product dated · 3 May 2026
Verify current requirements with IRCC

What you'll be able to do after reading it

Confirm PGWP eligibility before graduation. Program-length-to-PGWP-duration mapping (under 8 months not eligible; 8-23 months equal length; 24+ months 3-year permit), DLI eligibility check, and the post-2024 field-of-study restrictions.
Apply within the 180-day window. The exact start of the 180-day clock (date of program completion confirmation), what documents prove eligibility, and what to do if your study permit expires inside the 180-day window.
Choose inland vs outland application. Inland keeps you in Canada with implied status under R186; outland is faster in some visa offices. The kit has the decision tree for which makes sense per situation.
Plan the PGWP-to-PR transition. How PGWP work months count toward Express Entry CEC, the optimal timing to enter the EE pool, and how to avoid the gap between PGWP expiry and PR landing.
PGWP is the once-in-a-lifetime work permit. You can't reapply if you miss the window. The 180-day clock starts the day your school confirms your program completion — not the day of your graduation ceremony, not the day you receive your final transcript. — Editor's note, ehCanadaVisa

Why this saves you time

This guide organizes the application steps in one place. Check the PDF revision date and verify current requirements with IRCC before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the PGWP application cost?
CAD 155 work permit fee + CAD 100 open-work-permit holder fee = CAD 255 total. Biometrics CAD 85 per individual / CAD 170 family if you haven't already given them within the past 10 years for an IRCC application.
How long does PGWP processing take?
Inland (in-Canada) applications: typically 80-150 days. Outland (visa office abroad): varies by office, often 60-120 days. The kit covers the per-office timing differences.
Can I work while my PGWP is being processed?
Yes, under R186(w) implied status — IF you applied before your study permit expired AND you completed program requirements before applying. The kit covers the implied-status math.
I missed the 180-day window. Can I still get a PGWP?
No. The 180-day deadline is firm — there's no extension or exception in current IRCC policy. Once missed, alternate paths are: employer-specific work permit (needs LMIA or LMIA-exempt category), studying a second eligible program, or returning home and entering through Express Entry as a foreign worker.
What counts as program completion for the 180-day clock?
The school's formal confirmation that you've met all program requirements — not your graduation ceremony date. This typically arrives by email or transcript and is what IRCC asks you to date your application from.
Does my PGWP have to match my study program field?
PGWP is open — you can work in any field. But if you're targeting Express Entry CEC, the work experience needs to be NOC TEER 0/1/2/3, which usually requires field-aligned work for the credentials to recognize.
What happens if IRCC changes the rules after I buy?
The PDF revision date is shown on this page. Check current IRCC instructions before applying. Contact us if you have trouble accessing your purchase.
Is this legal advice?
No. ehCanadaVisa is an independent information resource. This guide provides information and templates, not legal advice, and we are not a law firm or licensed immigration practice. Always verify current requirements at canada.ca and consult a licensed professional for your specific situation.

Who this kit is for

Reader profiles this kit fits.

Illustrative reader situations the workflow inside this kit is designed for — not testimonials.

A
2-year master's, public DLI
Standard pathway — 3-year PGWP

Master's in computer science from a public university. Applies for PGWP within 60 days of program completion confirmation. Receives 3-year PGWP. Targets EE CEC after 12 months of NOC TEER 1 work.

B
College diploma in restricted field
Post-2024 field-of-study check

Two-year college diploma in a field NOT on the eligibility list under the 2024 reforms. Uses the kit's field-of-study table to confirm ineligibility, then plans an alternate path (employer-specific work permit, LMIA, or studying a second eligible program).

C
Study permit expiring inside the window
Race-against-clock applicant

Program completed 60 days before study permit expiry. Uses the implied-status rules (R186) to keep working while the PGWP is in process. Submits PGWP application 14 days before study permit expiry to maintain status.

Stop reading scattered threads. Start submitting.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): From Diploma to Open Work Permit is the orientation document most applicants wish they'd had in week one. You're 30 seconds away from it.

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