Get WORK PERMIT
Post Graduate Work Permit
Student who graduated from eligible DLI program can apply for Post Graduate Work Permit – PGWP. It is an Open Work Permit, which allows you to work for any employer in Canada as per conditions on work permit.
The work experience obtained during PGWP can open many pathways to permanent residency in the Canada through eligibility into various Federal and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Applicants can only apply for one PGWP during their lifetime. The Post Graduate Work Permit is issued for a period of 1 years to a maximum of 3 year based on program duration.
Some of the criteria for applying for PGWP is –
- Student must have completed the eligible program of minimum 8 months in duration from an eligible DLI leading to a credential – degree, diploma or a certificate
- Student maintained full-time student status other than the applicable exemptions
- Student received the official letter of completion and transcript from the eligible DLI
Students have to apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation – the day you received the official confirmation of program completion or final transcript, whichever is earlier.
Spousal Open Work Permit
Spousal/ Common-law partner of international students, Skilled Workers or PR applicants/residents can be eligible for applying for Open Work Permit if they meet the conditions and eligibility requirements.
As of January 21, 2025, significant changes have been implemented to the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) program for spouses of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders and certain High Skilled Workers in Canada.
Here are the key points:
- Eligibility Criteria: SOWPs are now limited to spouses of PGWP holders working in specific high-priority occupations.
Qualifying - Occupations: PGWP holders must be employed in:
- TEER 0 or 1 occupations (highly specialized and leadership roles)
- Selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labor shortages, such as natural sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and military.
- Validity Requirement: The PGWP holder must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for the SOWP.
- Proof of Employment: PGWP holders must provide evidence of their qualifying employment for their spouse to be eligible for an SOWP.
- Existing Permits: SOWPs approved before January 21, 2025, remain valid until their expiration date.
- Application Process: Couples can apply together for the PGWP and SOWP, or the spouse can apply separately before their existing status expires.
Effective January 21, 2025, Canada has implemented significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) for international students. The new regulations limit SOWPs to spouses of international students enrolled in:
- Master’s programs that are 16 months or longer in duration
- Doctoral programs
- Select professional and eligible programs
LMIA
In order to hire foreign workers, some employer needs to apply for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), a document issued by Federal government’s Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
Employers may apply for LMIA under stream for high-wage or low-wage positions depending upon whether the wage offered to the Temporary Foreign Worker at or above provincial or territorial median hourly wage or below.
A positive LMIA document issued to the Employer allows them to hire foreign worker as it demonstrates that there is no permanent resident or Canadian national available currently to fill the position.
Upon receiving the prospective foreign worker can apply for work permit and would generally need the following –
- A job offer letter
- A contract
- A copy of LMIA and the LMIA number