Applicant Track

⚠️ One important thing before you start You can only receive one Post-Graduation Work Permit in your lifetime. If it is issued for less time than expected — for example because your passport expires soon — you cannot get a second one to make up the difference. Check your passport expiry date before applying. Verify current PGWP rules directly with IRCC ↗

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

A step-by-step walkthrough of the PGWP application process. Every step links directly to the official IRCC source. This page organizes the process — it does not interpret your eligibility.

Last verified against IRCC: May 26, 2026

Fee: CAD $255

Processing times: see official IRCC source

🔔 What changed recently As of November 2024, IRCC updated eligibility rules for students who completed part of their program online. If any portion of your studies was remote, verify your eligibility directly on the official IRCC eligibility page before applying. Check current eligibility rules ↗

Before you read further — check these first

Many students wait for convocation before applying. This is a common and costly mistake. Your 180-day window starts from your official completion letter date, not your graduation ceremony. Check this date carefully before planning your application timeline.
If your study permit expires before you submit your PGWP application, your work authorization while waiting is affected. Verify your specific situation directly with IRCC before making any decisions.
Your study permit expires on the date printed on the permit OR 90 days after you complete your studies — whichever comes first. You must apply for your PGWP before your study permit expires to be eligible to work while waiting. Do not wait until day 100.
Verify current rules: IRCC PGWP Eligibility ↗

The PGWP timeline at a glance

Day 0

Official completion letter received. Your 180-day window begins.
Before study permit expiry

Submit your PGWP application online before your study permit expires.
After submission

You are on maintained status while IRCC processes your application. Verify work authorization directly with IRCC.
Decision issued

PGWP permit mailed or emailed.

Work authorization at each stage depends on your specific situation. Verify with official IRCC guidance before making any decisions. IRCC PGWP main page ↗

01 Who this page is for

✓ Likely applies to you if

You graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Your program was at least 8 months long
You were a full-time student for most of your program
You had a valid study permit when you graduated
You are within 180 days of receiving your final marks

✗ May not apply if

Your DLI is not on the PGWP-eligible institutions list
Your program was entirely online (check COVID exceptions)
You have held a PGWP before
You studied on a visitor visa, not a study permit
More than 180 days have passed since your final marks

Always verify your eligibility directly with IRCC before starting an application. This page cannot determine whether you qualify.

02 Before you start — what to have ready

Official completion letter or transcript — from your institution's Registrar confirming you have met all graduation requirements. A degree or diploma certificate alone is generally not sufficient.
Valid passport — must be valid for the length of permit you are requesting. IRCC will not issue a permit longer than your passport's validity period.
Copy of your current study permit — including all pages and any extensions you received.
Digital photo — meeting IRCC photo specifications: 35mm × 45mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
IRCC secure account credentials — GCKey or Sign-In Partner login. If you applied for your study permit online, you already have an account.
Payment method — credit or debit card for the $255 CAD fee. The fee is non-refundable.
Your school's DLI number — found on your study permit or your school's website. Confirm your institution is on the PGWP-eligible DLI list before applying.

Costs to plan for

Item	Amount	Source
PGWP application fee	$255 CAD	IRCC fee schedule ↗
Biometrics (if required)	$85 CAD	IRCC fee schedule ↗
Processing time	Varies — check official source	IRCC processing times ↗

Fees change. Always verify current amounts on the IRCC fee schedule before applying.

03 Application steps — in order

01

Confirm your school and program are eligible

Not every DLI qualifies graduates for a PGWP. Use the official IRCC eligibility page to confirm your institution and program are eligible before doing anything else.
PGWP Eligibility — IRCC DLI List — IRCC
02

Request your official completion letter from the Registrar

Contact your institution's Registrar office as soon as your final grades are submitted. Request an official letter confirming completion of all graduation requirements. This is different from your degree certificate. Processing times vary by school — typically 5 to 15 business days.

⏱ Request this early. Waiting until after convocation may reduce your time within the 180-day application window.
03

Log into your IRCC secure account

Sign in using your GCKey or a Sign-In Partner account. If you applied for your study permit online through IRCC, you already have an account linked to your immigration history.
IRCC Secure Account
04

Start a new application and select Work Permit

Inside your IRCC account, select "Apply for a visitor visa, study and/or work permit." Answer the eligibility questions — the system will route you to the appropriate application form based on your answers.
05

Complete Form IMM 1295

Fill in your personal information, study history, and passport details. Key fields include your DLI number, study permit number, and program completion date. Your name must match your passport exactly.

The IRCC online application does not have a clearly labeled upload slot for language test results. For exact upload instructions and field locations, refer to the official IRCC Application Guide IMM 5487 ↗.
Application Guide IMM 5487 — IRCC
⚠️ Follow the instructions on the IRCC form carefully for each field. Some fields may require "Not Applicable" — follow the form's own guidance on how to handle fields that do not apply to you.
06

Upload your documents

Upload your completion letter or transcript, all pages of your current study permit including any extensions, your passport bio page, and your digital photo. Files must typically be PDF or JPEG format under 4MB. Review file quality before uploading — unclear scans can cause delays.
07

Pay the CAD $255 application fee

Pay using a credit or debit card. Save your payment receipt — the fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.
IRCC Fee Schedule
08

Submit and save your application number

After submitting you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt with an application number. Save this immediately — you will need it to check your status and communicate with IRCC.
09

Biometrics — if requested

IRCC may send a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) by email. If so, book an appointment at a Service Canada location or authorized VAC. Biometrics are valid for 10 years — if you provided them for a previous application, you may not need to repeat. Follow the instructions in your BIL.
Biometrics Guide — IRCC
10

Track your application status

Check your application status through your IRCC account. Review the official IRCC processing times page for current estimates — processing times change frequently.
Check Application Status Current Processing Times
ℹ️ Work authorization while your PGWP is being processed depends on your specific situation. Two conditions that affect this: whether your study permit was still valid when you submitted your application, and whether you were enrolled full-time. These are not the only factors. Verify your work authorization status directly with official IRCC guidance before working.
Implied / Maintained Status — IRCC
11

Receive your PGWP

If approved, you will receive an approval letter and a Port of Entry (PoE) letter of introduction. If you are in Canada, your physical permit will be mailed to your address on file. If you travel outside Canada before receiving the physical permit, present your PoE letter at the border.

Once your PGWP arrives — immediate next steps

Update your SIN if it was issued with an expiry date — visit a Service Canada office
Check your provincial health insurance eligibility — coverage rules change when your status changes
Keep your original PGWP document safe — you will need it for employment, banking, and future applications
Your employer may ask for proof of work authorization — your PGWP serves as this document

Service Canada — SIN updates

04 Things people commonly miss

Waiting for the degree certificate instead of the completion letter

You do not need your degree or diploma to apply. An official completion letter from the Registrar is the required document. Waiting for convocation can reduce your time within the 180-day window.
Misunderstanding when the 180-day clock starts

The 180 days begin from the date on your official completion letter or transcript — not your convocation date and not the date you receive the document. Verify the exact start date of your window carefully.
Passport expiry limiting permit length

IRCC issues a PGWP no longer than your passport's remaining validity. If your passport expires in 14 months, your PGWP will be 14 months regardless of what your program length would otherwise allow. Renew your passport before applying if it is expiring soon.
Uploading incomplete permit documents

Upload every page of your study permit including the back page and any extension documents. Incomplete uploads are a common reason for processing delays or requests for additional information.
Leaving Canada while your application is pending

Do not leave Canada while your PGWP application is pending without first reviewing your re-entry situation carefully. Leaving may affect your maintained status and your ability to return to Canada to work. Review official IRCC guidance on travelling outside Canada while a permit application is pending before making any travel plans.
IRCC guidance on travel while application pending
Not saving the acknowledgment of receipt

The acknowledgment email contains your application number. Without it you cannot track your status or respond to IRCC requests. Save it immediately after submitting.
Health coverage after graduation

Your university or college health plan may end when you graduate. Provincial health coverage eligibility varies by province and immigration status. Review your province's official health insurance eligibility rules for work permit holders before your coverage ends.
OHIP eligibility — Ontario Ministry of Health
Combining two programs for a longer PGWP

If you completed more than one PGWP-eligible program in Canada, you may be able to combine their lengths to qualify for a longer permit — up to 3 years. Each program must be at least 8 months long and completed within a two-year window of each other. If the programs have different language requirements, you must meet the higher requirement. Verify current program stacking rules directly with IRCC.
PGWP length and multiple programs — IRCC

05 Official government links

06 After your PGWP — what comes next

Once you begin working on your PGWP, the type of work you do may affect your eligibility for Permanent Residency pathways like Express Entry. Not all work experience counts equally toward PR eligibility. Verify current requirements directly with IRCC before making employment decisions.

Next step

Once your PGWP arrives, your next task is updating your SIN record with Service Canada.

Read the SIN Guide →

This page is for educational and navigational purposes only.
It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. All steps link directly to official Government of Canada sources. Immigration rules change — always verify current requirements with IRCC directly before submitting any application. For advice specific to your situation, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer.