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Work Permit Options for International Student Graduates No Longer Eligible for PGWPs

PGWPs

For international students who have completed their studies and are no longer eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or for those with expiring PGWPs, there are alternative options to gain legal work status in Canada.

Below, we explore various work permit pathways available to recent graduates.

Work Permit Options at a Glance

Work Permit TypeEligibility Criteria
Free-Trade Agreement-Based Work PermitsForeign nationals from countries with a free trade agreement with Canada. Eligibility varies by agreement.
International Experience Canada (IEC)Citizens of countries with youth mobility agreements; aged 35 or younger (30 for some countries).
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)Employer must secure a positive or neutral Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)Job offer and sponsorship from a designated employer; provincial endorsement required.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)Must be a candidate or nominee of a PNP. Requirements vary by province.
Spousal Open Work Permit (Post-Secondary)Spouse enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary program in Canada.
Spousal Open Work Permit (Family Sponsorship)Spouse must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has sponsored your PR application.

Work Permits for Recent Graduates

1. Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) Work Permits

If you’re from a country with a free trade agreement with Canada, you may qualify for an FTA-based work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Examples include:

  • Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the successor to NAFTA.
  • Agreements with the European Union, Chile, and other nations.

Eligibility criteria depend on the terms of the specific agreement.

2. International Experience Canada (IEC)

The IEC program is another option for citizens of countries with youth mobility agreements with Canada.

To qualify, you must:

  • Be a citizen of an eligible country.
  • Meet the age requirement (usually under 35, but 30 for some countries).

Eligible Countries:

Countries like Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and many more have bilateral agreements with Canada.

Types of IEC Work Permits:

Permit TypeCriteriaEmployer-Specific or Open?
Working HolidayFinancial resources; health insurance.Open
Young ProfessionalsJob offer; professional development focus.Employer-Specific
International Co-opInternship as part of academic program.Employer-Specific

3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

If you’re not eligible for FTA or IEC work permits, consider the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

Key points:

  • Requires employer support with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
  • The LMIA must show that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively affect the Canadian labor market.

Some streams, like the Global Talent Stream, offer faster processing and may waive advertising requirements.

Pathways with Links to Immigration

1. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP is a pathway to permanent residence that also provides work permits.

To qualify:

  • Have a job offer from a designated employer in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
  • Meet additional requirements for language, education, work experience, and settlement funds.

Eligible provinces include:

  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Once you’ve applied for PR through the AIP, you can secure an employer-specific work permit valid for up to two years.

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Many PNPs provide work permits to candidates or nominees.

For example, British Columbia offers work permit support letters to PNP nominees. Additionally, a temporary public policy introduced in August 2024 allows Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon to issue work permits to PNP candidates. This policy is currently set to expire on December 31, 2024, but may be extended or revised.

Spousal Open Work Permits

  1. Post-Secondary Studies If your spouse is a student in a qualifying post-secondary program in Canada, you may be eligible for an open work permit.

Your spouse must be enrolled in:

  • A master’s or PhD program of at least 16 months; or
  • A professional degree program in eligible fields like law, medicine, engineering, or nursing.
  1. Family Sponsorship If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and has sponsored your PR application, you can apply for an open work permit.

To qualify, you must:

  • Have submitted your PR application.
  • Live in Canada with valid temporary status.

Working After Your Studies

If you’ve applied for a work permit after completing your studies, you can start working full-time while waiting for a decision if:

  • You were authorized to work off-campus during your studies.
  • You applied for a work permit before your study permit expired.
  • You have valid status in Canada.

What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?

The PGWP is an open work permit available to graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions. Depending on the program’s length, it can be valid for up to three years.

New PGWP Eligibility Rules (Effective November 1, 2024)

  • Before November 1, 2024: Most full-time programs at DLIs longer than eight months were eligible, except language studies.
  • After November 1, 2024:
    • College/vocational programs must align with Canada’s labor market needs.
    • University programs (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) have no such restrictions.

Next Steps

At Skynet Immigration, we’re here to guide you through your work permit options and help you transition successfully to legal work status in Canada.

Contact us today for a free consultation

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