International Centre

Working After Graduation

Post-Graduation Work Permit

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program provides graduating students with the opportunity to pursue Canadian work experience upon completion of an eligible program at a Canadian designated learning institution.

Most international students who graduate from Dalhousie University are eligible to apply for a PGWP if they meet all eligibility requirements. The PGWP has a validity period of up to 3 years – the length of the PGWP given depends on the length of the student’s program of study. Please refer to the following Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for more information on determining length of a PGWP.

IMPORTANT:

For PGWP applications from within Canada: It's important to apply within 90 days of receiving confirmation of degree completion (e.g. a letter from the Registrar’s Office for undergraduate students, or a letter from Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate students). It is also important to submit your PGWP application while your study permit is still valid. If your study permit is due to expire before the end of the 90-day PGWP application window, make sure to submit your PGWP application before your study permit expires.

For PGWP applications from outside Canada: it’s important to apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation of degree completion (e.g. a letter from the Registrar’s Office for undergraduate students, or a letter from Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate students). Failure to do so will result in the loss of your PGWP eligibility until you complete another qualifying program.

If you miss the PGWP application period, or if you have questions about the PGWP application process, please consult with an International Centre immigration advisor.

NEW – Language proficiency requirement

For PGWP applications submitted on/after November 1, 2024, you must now provide proof of English OR French proficiency. For students graduating from university programs, the minimum requirement for English proficiency is set at Level 7 according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standards. The minimum requirement for French proficiency is set at Level 7 according to the Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). Test scores must be less than two years old. Approved English proficiency tests are: IELTS, CELPIP, and the PTE Core. Visit the Language Level Equivalencies table on the IRCC website for more information.

How to apply online

Step 1: Log into your IRCC online account through GCKey or Sign-in partner

If you are a new user, you need to register for through GCKey or Sign-in Partner.

Step 2: Click on ‘Apply to come to Canada’

You will be asked to enter a Personal Reference Code.

If you do not already have a code, go to the section, "I do not have a Personal Refence Code" and click on Visitor visa, study and/or work permit.

Answer all the questions that follow. Please use the Post Graduate Work Permit Eligibility Questionnaire Guide available in the sidebar.

Step 3: Fill in the online application form and gather supporting documentation

1. Complete the IMM 5710 Application form. Validate and save the form as an unsigned copy. You can find the guide to completing IMM5710 in the sidebar

2. Gather the following supporting documents:

Digital photo (420x540 pixels)
Passport (pages with stamps, visas, photos only). Make sure your passport is valid for the length of the PGWP.
Program Completion Letter: Undergraduate students can request a Program Completion Letter from the Registrar’s Office. Graduate students can request a Program Completion Letter from the Faculty of Graduate Studies (go to ‘Forms & Documents’ and select ‘Degree Requirements Met Request Form’)
Official transcript: for official transcripts, go to the Registrar's Office or make a request via DalOnline. For a copy of an official transcript,
Official language proficiency test result (new for PGWP applications submitted after November 1, 2024): for proof of English proficiency, your must provide an official test score that is less than two years old. Approved English proficiency tests are: IELTS, CELPIP, and the PTE Core. The minimum requirement for English proficiency is set at Level 7 according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standards. Due to IRCC system limitations, the document checklist won’t ask you to provide language test results. You must upload your language test results in the “Client information” section.

3. Once you have all the documents ready, save them electronically. The documents must be less than 4MB each, and can be saved as pdfs, jpegs or word docs.

4. Upload the IMM 5710 form and supporting documents in your online account.

5. Visit the Get the Right Documents page on the IRCC website to make sure that you are completing your application correctly.

Step 4: Pay the application fee

Pay the $255 CAD fee online with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express).

Do not forget to print a receipt.

Step 5: Upload biometrics receipt (if applicable)

If you paid $85.00 CAD for biometric collection but have not yet completed biometrics, please upload your $85.00 receipt under “Optional Documents-Client Information”. Make sure to indicate YES to biometrics in the online questionnaire or you will be charged again.

Step 6: Submit the application

Save or print your confirmation of successful transmission for your records.

Important Information

After you submit your application, Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada may contact you for additional documents. If you are contacted, make an appointment with an International Student Advisor to ensure you respond accurately and punctually to the IRCC request.

Things to note

PGWPs are issued only once in a lifetime, therefore, if you have plans to pursue further studies in Canada, you may wish to consult an International Student Advisor to discuss when to apply.

Immigration support for former international students

The International Centre provides immigration advising support to current international students at Dalhousie and King’s. Once you have completed your program, our services are limited to:

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Applications
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Applications (for those who have received a PGWP)

For all other immigration matters, such as permanent residency pathways or work permit extensions beyond the PGWP, we encourage graduated students to consult a licensed immigration professional or refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for guidance.

Work eligibility after completing your studies

After completing your studies, you may continue working under the conditions of your study permit UNTIL one of the following occurs:

Your final marks are released and posted in Dal online, or
The University confirms you have met all degree requirements (e.g., program completion letter).

Once one of these things happens, you must stop working immediately and apply for a PGWP if you wish to continue working in Canada (provided you meet all the PGWP eligibility requirements).

Work eligibility after applying for a PGWP:

For PGWP applications from within Canada: Once you submit your PGWP application (refer to the steps and requirements above), you are eligible to work full-time* while you wait for a decision from IRCC about the status of your PGWP application. If your application is approved, you can continue working. If your application is denied, you must stop working and leave Canada unless you have obtained alternate legal status.

(*check to see if you meet the eligibility requirements to work while waiting for IRCC to process your PGWP application.)

For PGWP applications from outside Canada: You must wait for a decision from IRCC about the status of your application before you can start working. For full details, including visitor visa or eTA requirements for return travel to Canada, visit the After You Apply page on the IRCC website.

Work Permit Conditions

Work permits issued by IRCC, such as internship/co-op, off-campus, and post-graduate work permits may be subject to restrictions. International students who were not required to undergo an immigration medical examination before coming to Canada may be subject to the following occupation/workplace restrictions that require an immigration medical examination:

health care setting
child care
primary and secondary educational facilities

There is a complete list of occupations and Designated Medical Practitioners on the IRCC website.

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