Overview of the process
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Before appllying | First, visit the Post-graduation work permit page for important details on things to prepare before you apply, working before and after you apply, options if you have travel plans, and more. |
| When to apply | Apply within 90 days of when your Letter of Completion first becomes available AND before your study permit expires to apply through the inside Canada process. To maintain status in Canada, you must submit your application before 11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not local time, on the day your study permit becomes invalid and within 90 days of when your Letter of Completion becomes available. Apply within 180 days of when your Letter of Completion first becomes available AND within 180 days of your study permit expiring to apply through the outside Canada process. If you are inside Canada beyond the 90 days and/or your study permit has expired, contact International Student Advising for support. You must submit your application within 180 days of when your Letter of Completion first becomes available before 11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not local time (or within 180 days of your study permit expiring, if that’s sooner). This 180-day period begins when your Letter of Completion first becomes available in Workday or via your program. NOT the date of your convocation ceremony. |
| Cost | $255.00 CAD and $85.00 CAD for biometrics, if applicable |
| Processing time | IRCC processing times vary widely. Check typical processing times for your country on the IRCC website. |
| How to apply | Apply online through the IRCC website. You can only apply by paper if you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, there is a problem with the online application, you are applying for the remaining time of your PGWP because of your passport expiry date, or you are applying to change conditions of your PGWP (such as to work in jobs that require a medical exam). |
| Application form | Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker [IMM5710] To avoid delays with your application, always download the most current form from the IRCC website. |
First, create your document checklist
- Log into the IRCC Secure Account, or create a new one if you lost access to your previous account.
- Complete the questionnaire to generate a list of required forms and documents.
- After completing the questionnaire, you will be guided to a screen titled “Your document checklist”.
Check our PGWP Canvas application review course for a video on creating your document checklist.
Gather your required documents
You’ll need to prepare your transcript, Letter of Completion, a copy of your passport, and more.
Complete the application form
Your application form is a legal document and is an important part of your application. Missing or incorrect information can lead to a refusal. Learn how to fill out the form.
Before submitting your application
Complete the Canvas application review course to go over required documents, learn how to fill out the form, avoid common mistakes, and be ready to submit your application.
After you’ve applied
You may begin working full-time immediately after submitting your Post-Graduation Work Permit application while you are waiting for a decision from IRCC if, at the time you submitted your application, you met all of the following requirements:
- You had a valid study permit and applied within 90 days of your Letter of Completion first becoming available
- You completed your program of study
- You were eligible to work off campus without a work permit during your studies. Check that your study permit has a condition allowing off-campus work, such as “may accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria, per paragraph R186(f), (v) or (w) and must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria“.
- You did not work off campus for more than 24 hours per week during academic sessions (or more than 20 hours per week before Nov 8, 2024, unless you were eligible to work more under the temporary policies).
If you plan to work in a job which requires a medical exam, you cannot start working in that position until you’ve received your work permit with the correct conditions. However, if you meet the above criteria, you can work in other jobs which don’t require a medical exam while you are waiting for your PGWP.
If you have travel plans, review your options.
So long as you applied within 90 days of your Letter of Completion first becoming available and before your study permit expired, you will have maintained status and can remain in Canada while your application is being processed, and work if you met the requirements at the time of application.
If your MSP will expire before your PGWP is processed, you must take action and request a temporary extension of your MSP.
After you receive your work permit
Check your work permit
Once you receive your post-graduation work permit, check the length of the work permit to make sure it was issued correctly:
- If your program of study was at least eight months and less than two years in length, your work permit should match the length of your program
- If your program of study was two years or longer, or a master’s degree that was 8 months or longer, you should receive a three-year work permit
Contact International Student Advising if you believe the officer made a mistake with the length of your work permit.
Exception: Your work permit cannot be issued for longer than your passport; therefore, a shorter work permit may be issued based on your passport expiry date. If this is the case, you must first extend your passport, and then apply to extend your work permit by paper for the remainder of the time for which you are eligible.
Keep your documents up to date
Keep your immigration and health insurance documents up to date by completing important steps below:
- Keep track of the expiry date of your work permit. You must either leave Canada or apply for another immigration document such as a Visitor Record to change status to a visitor before your work permit expires.
- Apply for or extend your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You need a valid a SIN to be paid for work in Canada.
- Be sure to extend your Medical Services Plan (MSP) or make sure you have sufficient health insurance if you are moving to another province/territory
- Apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada (if required), OR
- Check that you have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) that is valid until the same date or a future date.
If your contact information changes after submitting your application, be sure to update it via IRCC’s webform.
Leaving and entering Canada
Every time you enter Canada, be prepared to prove at the border that you can support yourself financially (that is, carry an updated bank statement). If you don’t have a job, bring proof that you are actively looking for work (your resume, list of jobs you are applying for, etc.). You must have a valid Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization. Check our Travelling to Canada Guide for recommended documents to bring.
If you have questions
You can connect with International Student Advising for questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada.
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
The information on this page may change
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.