Can I get a post-graduation work permit, and can I work while I wait?
A PGWP has general requirements, requirements for your study program (language, and for some programs a field of study), and rules on working while IRCC decides, and you apply online unless IRCC allows paper. A few questions check each against IRCC's own words.
Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 25, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.
What IRCC says, situation by situation
Yes, if eligible, and you may work while you wait.
You may be eligible, and may work while IRCC decides if you apply before your study permit expires
In IRCC’s words:
“You applied for a work permit or post-graduation work permit (PGWP) before your study permit expired.”
“You were eligible to work off campus during your studies.”
“You’re waiting for a decision on your work permit application.”
Source: IRCC, page dated April 15, 2026
Yes, if you apply within 180 days of finishing your program.
You may be eligible; working while you wait depends on having had off-campus work rights
In IRCC’s words:
“you apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study”
“your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program of study”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
Yes, if you restore status within 90 days; no work until approved.
Possibly, with restoration of your status, but no work until the PGWP is approved
In IRCC’s words:
“If you don’t change your status to visitor and your study permit expires, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.”
“You can’t work until your work permit has been approved.”
“Your study permit must be valid (not expired) at the time you submit your application to be eligible to work in Canada while awaiting a decision on your PGWP application.”
“Because of system limitations, you must pay the fees to restore your status as a student online and attach a copy of the receipt to your PGWP online application.”
“You don’t need to make a separate application to restore your status as a student.”
“If you don’t apply within 90 days, or if 90 days have already passed, you must leave Canada.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 28, 2026
No: after 90 days, IRCC says you must leave Canada.
Not by restoring your status: after 90 days, IRCC says you must leave Canada
In IRCC’s words:
“If you don’t apply within 90 days, or if 90 days have already passed, you must leave Canada.”
“If you don’t change your status to visitor and your study permit expires, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 28, 2026
Yes, but in most cases you must apply online.
Online: in most cases, you must apply online for a PGWP
In IRCC’s words:
“In most cases, you must apply online for a PGWP.”
“You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from within Canada or from another country, as long as you’re eligible.”
“You have up to 180 days after you graduate to apply for a PGWP.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 28, 2026
Yes: you can submit a paper application if you can't apply online.
On paper: you can submit a paper application if you can't apply online for this reason
In IRCC’s words:
“You can submit a paper application if”
“you can’t apply online because of a disability”
“there’s a problem with the online application”
“In most cases, you must apply online for a PGWP.”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 28, 2026
Yes, but extending or changing a PGWP is done on paper.
On paper: extending or changing the conditions of a PGWP is a paper application
In IRCC’s words:
“You must apply on paper if you’re extending or changing the conditions of your PGWP.”
“You can only extend your PGWP if your passport expired earlier than the full period of eligibility of your PGWP.”
“Once you get your medical exam results, you can ask to have these restrictions removed. To do this, you must apply on paper to change the conditions on your PGWP .”
Source: IRCC, page dated August 28, 2026
No
Not for a program shorter than 8 months
In IRCC’s words:
“you completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs)”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not for a program or school that is not PGWP-eligible
In IRCC’s words:
“completed a course or program of study at a DLI that is not PGWP-eligible”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
Yes, if your school and program are PGWP-eligible.
It depends on whether your school and program are PGWP-eligible
In IRCC’s words:
“you completed a program of study at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution that was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs)”
IRCC: the designated learning institutions list (it shows PGWP eligibility)
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not for language or general interest courses
In IRCC’s words:
“studied English or French as a second language”
“took general interest or self-improvement courses”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not if you were part-time before your final semester
In IRCC’s words:
“you maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program”
“You may study part-time during your final semester.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not a second PGWP
In IRCC’s words:
“already received a PGWP”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
Yes, if you hold a Canadian commercial pilot's licence or instructor offer.
It depends on your pilot's licence or instructor job offer
In IRCC’s words:
“There are no language or field of study requirements for graduates from a PGWP-eligible flight school.”
“You completed a flight training course at a DLI training centre and now have a Canadian commercial pilot’s license or”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not without CLB 7 in all 4 areas
In IRCC’s words:
“You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not without CLB 5 in all 4 areas
In IRCC’s words:
“You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in French in all 4 language areas.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not if your field of study is not eligible
In IRCC’s words:
“If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must graduate in an eligible field of study .”
IRCC: the eligible fields of study
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
Yes, if you graduate in an eligible field of study.
It depends on your field of study
In IRCC’s words:
“If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must graduate in an eligible field of study .”
IRCC: the eligible fields of study
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not after 180 days
In IRCC’s words:
“you apply for your PGWP within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program of study”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
No
Not without a study permit valid after you finished
In IRCC’s words:
“your study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after you completed your program of study”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 24, 2026
What would change the answer
- Applying before your study permit expires, and within 180 days.
- Your language test results.
- Your program's level, length and field of study.
What you might not have asked yet
- A year of skilled work on your PGWP can open the Canadian Experience Class: which Express Entry programs would fit you?
- Can your spouse or partner work while you hold your PGWP?
Sources
- IRCC › study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility · page dated June 24, 2026
- IRCC › study-canada/work/work-off-campus · page dated April 15, 2026
- IRCC › study-canada/work/after-graduation/apply · page dated August 28, 2026
Other answers
- Am I eligible for an Express Entry program?
- As a caregiver, can I change jobs, move, or apply for PR?
- As an asylum claimant, can I get a work or study permit?
- Can a positive LMIA be changed?
- Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada (or for my child)?
- Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
- Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive at the border?
- Can I change employers on my work permit?
- Can I change the sex or gender identifier on my IRCC documents?
- Can I come to Canada as a business visitor, without a work permit?
- Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?
- Can I get a bridging open work permit?
- Can I get an immigration loan, and how do I repay it?
- Can I get two-week work permit processing?
- Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?
- Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?
- Can I keep my permanent resident status, and travel without a PR card?
- Can I keep working while my work permit extension is processed?
- Can I leave Canada and come back on my permit or status?
- Can I sponsor a refugee?
- Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
- Can I stay in Canada as a visitor, and for longer than I was given?
- Can I take a short course in Canada without a study permit?
- Can I take free government-funded language classes?
- Can I take part in International Experience Canada (again)?
- Can I work while I study in Canada?
- Can my family come with me while I work or study in Canada?
- Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?
- Could a health condition make me inadmissible to Canada (excessive demand)?
- Do I need a language test, and which one counts?
- Do I need a representative, and who may help me?
- Do I need a visa or an eTA to come to Canada?
- Do I need an immigration medical exam?
- Do I need police certificates?
- Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?
- Does my credential assessment (ECA) let me work in my profession?
- Does the employer have to invite Job Match candidates?
- Does the low-wage cap apply to this employer?
- Does this LMIA job ad meet ESDC's advertising rules?
- My application was refused: can I still do something about it?
- My employer is treating me unfairly: can I get help and keep my status?
- Will I lose my other citizenship if I become Canadian?
Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.